Charles Sturt University has received a special invitation to attend a luncheon with the Executive Committee of the Australian Dental Association – ADA (NSW Branch) to be held in Orange, NSW on Friday 30 March to further discuss CSU’s plans to solve the rural dental health crisis.

 

The ADA (NSW Branch) is the professional association representing dentists in NSW and the ACT.  It currently has 3 543 members.

 

Correspondence from the ADA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Matthew Fischer, states: “The Governing Council of the Branch is giving serious consideration to the proposal forwarded by CSU and welcomes initiatives that lead to the recruitment and retention of competently trained dentists willing to practice in rural and regional NSW. The Branch will work with CSU to discuss the practical implications of this proposal as it progresses. On behalf of the Branch, I look forward to further discussion with CSU in the near future.”

 

CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Goulter said the University met with the President and CEO of the ADA NSW Branch in Bathurst late last year, after the ADA Forum on Public Dental Services.

 

“We have maintained close communication with the ADA on the dental proposal throughout the development of this initiative,” Professor Goulter said.

 

“The University prides itself on its commitment to developing health professionals with the practical clinical skills necessary to thrive in professional practice.

 

“The CSU dental proposal will ensure students have extensive clinical exposure throughout the degree program.  We are working closely with rural dental practitioners and the ADA NSW Branch to ensure that the clinical program meets the high standards of professional practice for dentists today.

 

“We are very keen to work closely with the ADA NSW Branch, to ensure that our program has the appropriate balance of classroom, laboratory and clinical practice experience.

 

“CSU is also continuing to liaise with the Australian Dental Council, the accrediting body for dentists in Australia, on the progress of this initiative.”

 

The University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Goulter; Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Mark Burton; and Mr Mark Burdack, Director Corporate Governance will attend the meeting with the ADA NSW Branch Executive Committee at Turner Vineyard, Orange on 30 March.