In 2000, my nephew was born with a heart defect. Approximately one in every 100 babies are born with a heart defect; the total number of Australian children with this condition aged 0-18 is estimated at 34,560.

Some defects are mild and cause no significant disturbance to the way the heart functions. However, for more than half of all children with a heart defect, it is serious enough to require treatment. My nephew, Braydon, was one of 50% with a heart defect serious enough to require treatment.

Braydon was my brother’s first child, and we had no idea the impact this tiny baby would make on our life. Born on 2 January, he was unwell from day one, but no one knew what was wrong with him. After 5 long weeks of tests, it was determined that Braydon had a heart condition, and was flown from Adelaide to Melbourne for open heart surgery. Although he was able to return home after his surgery, he spent much of his first year in hospital, as every time he was unwell he needed medication and oxygen.
My nephew recently turned 18, and I’m relieved to say that a recent check-up confirmed that he is as fit as other boys his age. That’s not to say it hasn’t taken a lot for him to get there.

It is important for children with heart conditions to have good oral health to prevent not only pain, infection and difficulty eating, but also to prevent infection of the lining of the heart from bacteria from the mouth. Almost 50% of children with heart disease have their surgery delayed, as their dental treatment needs to be managed first.

An eviDent facilitated project aims to make it easier for Victorian children with heart conditions to access oral health care at an early stage, by providing both parents and dental professionals with tools and resources to improve access to care. Preventive treatment and improved access to care will result in less dental caries, improved oral health, and better oral and cardiac health.
This is a project dear to my heart, and no doubt that of 34,560 families of the children born with a heart defect, and so I'm asking for your help.

If you have $5 (that's $1 for each km I will Color Run), or more if you can, then please click 'Donate Now' to make a secure online donation and help me reach my target. I would welcome any contribution, great or small, that you could make!