New funding to reduce public dental waiting lists will be welcome in rural Australia, and Charles Sturt University (CSU) will investigate how it can assist regional health providers to deliver these services, said CSU Head of Dentistry and Health Sciences Professor David Wilson.

The federal government announced $346 million over three years in the Budget to reduce public dental waiting lists and provide treatments to an expected 400 000 people.

"Public dental waiting lists are substantial, with some rural people waiting months or years to obtain appropriate dental treatments," Professor Wilson said.

"A major problem has been the shortage of dentists in rural areas, and the inability of public hospitals to provide these services due to a lack of dentists.

"Charles Sturt University's dental and oral health program was specifically established to increase the number of dentists and oral health therapists in rural practice.

"'Train in the bush, retain in the bush' is the only proven strategy to address chronic dental and health workforce shortages in rural areas.

"The University is already working with NSW Health to address public dental waiting lists, and will talk with the department and Local Health Districts to explore how we may be able to assist with this program," Professor Wilson said.