Professor Ian Goulter Vice-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University (CSU) today welcomed the ongoing support of the Central Regional Organisation of Councils (CENTROC) for CSU’s bid to create a new School of Dentistry and Oral Health for inland NSW.

 

CENTROC is the peak regional organisation of local councils in the Central West region of NSW and includes:

 

·         Bathurst Regional Council

·         Blayney Shire Council

·         Cabonne Shire Council

·         City of Lithgow Council

·         Cowra Shire Council

·         Forbes Shire Council

·         Lachlan Shire Council

·         Mid-Western Regional Council

·         Oberon Council

·         Orange City Council

·         Parkes Shire Council

·         Weddin Shire Council

·         Wellington Council

 

“CSU consulted with CENTROC from the early stages of our exploration of the dental crisis in rural NSW to obtain their views and input,” said Professor Goulter.

 

“The strong support shown by CENTROC and its member councils has been extremely welcome and is testament to the concern felt by everyone in inland NSW about the extent of the rural dental crisis and the need for local government to work with their local University to resolve the crisis,” said Professor Goulter.

 

CSU last week submitted a proposal to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Mark Vaile, MP, calling on the Australian Government to provide $54.4 million to fund the establishment of a School of Dentistry and Oral Health based in Orange and Wagga Wagga to address the chronic shortage of dentists and oral health workers in inland NSW.

 

The new School would include Dental Education Clinics located on CSU campuses throughout inland NSW that will provide dental services to public and private patients as part of the clinical education program.