Training Oral Health Professionals In Wagga Wagga

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18th September 2009, 01:30pm - Views: 710





Community Health Minister For Rural And Regional Health 1 image


THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP

Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health

and Regional Services Delivery



18 September 2009




TRAINING DENTISTS IN WAGGA WAGGA 


Construction is complete and students are enrolled at the new School of Dentistry and Health

Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.


The Australian Government has invested more than $19.5 million in the Wagga facility

including $17.5 for the pre-clinical and clinical facilities and over $2 million for 40 bed

student accommodation.  It forms part of a $58.1 million Federal funding commitment to the

Charles Sturt University dental school across Wagga, Orange, Albury, Bathurst and Dubbo.


Today, Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, toured the two newly

finished dental clinics (with 24 chairs in total), a dental simulation laboratory, specialist

dental teaching and research facilities, two IT lecture theatres (for 80 students in total),

teaching space, support space and public amenities and accommodation.


“In addition to the capital investment in these impressive new facilities, the Australian

Government is also funding 60 dental and oral health student places at the school each year,

beginning with the 2009 cohort,” Mr Snowdon said.


“There is a shortage of dentists and oral health workers in Wagga and investing in local

training and local infrastructure is key to building the region’s workforce.


“I have no doubt that students who experience Wagga Wagga during their study will want to

settle here and build their careers in the community.”


Mr Snowdon said the school would not only provide much needed places for training new

dentists, it would also benefit patients in the wider region.


“Negotiations are underway for the Greater Southern Area Health Service to provide public

dental services at the school, vastly improving access to dental services in the region.”


The Rudd Government has committed to major reforms to dental care in Australia, with

national consultation currently underway on the recommendations of the National Health and

Hospitals Reform Commission, including options to improve dental treatment access.


In the 2009-10 Budget the Government committed to investing a further $11 million over

three years for the provision of additional Indigenous dental services in rural and regional

areas.

  

Media contact: Kate Sieper 02 6277 7427 and 0488 484 689.






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