Charles Sturt University (CSU) today announced that it had submitted a formal proposal to the Australian Government for the establishment of a cross-campus School of Dentistry and Oral Health with primary facilities in Orange and Wagga Wagga.

 

CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter and Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Mark Burton met in Parliament House Canberra last week with the Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile, NSW Senator Ms Fiona Nash, the Member for Macquarie Mr Kerry Bartlett, the Member for Riverina Ms Kay Hull and the Member for Parkes Mr John Cobb.

 

The proposal was enthusiastically received by the parliamentarians. CSU’s existing successes in training and retaining skilled health professionals in rural Australia was also discussed.

 

The University has requested Commonwealth funding of $54.4 million to construct pre-clinical and clinical facilities in Orange and Wagga Wagga as well as three Dental Education Clinics in Albury, Bathurst and Dubbo, which will mean an additional 240 student dental places over five years.

 

Mr Bartlett said: "This is an exciting proposal with real benefits for the Central West and it has my full support. As well as adding substantially to the supply of dentists in this part of the state, it will improve the educational opportunities for young people in Western NSW.

 

"I have already raised this directly with the Education and Health ministers and yesterday's meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister was another step forward," said Mr Bartlett.

 

Late last year the Vice-Chancellor briefed the Commonwealth Minister for Education, Science and Training, Ms Julie Bishop on CSU’s plans and wrote to the Australian Minister for Health, Mr Tony Abbott. Professor Goulter said: “The shortage of trained dentists and oral health professionals in Australia is proving disastrous for the health of people in rural and regional Australia.”

 

Professor Burton agreed. “Rural people are more likely to be hospitalised because of oral health conditions, have higher rates of cavities and have more teeth removed than their metropolitan counter-parts. The state of dental care in inland NSW is approaching developing world standards.”

 

According to Professor Goulter: “CSU’s proposal is based on its proven ability to train health professionals in the bush and to retain those graduates in the bush.” 

 

For example, fewer than 15 of all NSW pharmacy graduates located to regional areas between 1995 and 2000. Once CSU began graduating pharmacists in 2001, at least 35 graduates have chosen to practise in rural and regional settings; an extra 117 pharmacists practising in rural and regional Australia over a three year period. CSU plans to replicate its success in pharmacy with its new dental program.

 

“The dental crisis has been identified by every level of government as one of the most critical issues facing the Australian health system,” said Professor Goulter. “CSU’s proposal will provide a real solution to the shortage of dental and oral health workers in inland NSW.”