The links between educators and the dental profession will be cemented when representatives of Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the NSW Branch of the Australian Dental Association (ADA NSW) meet on the Bathurst Campus to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday 12 May.

 

 ADA NSW is the peak body for the dental profession and has provided significant support to the establishment of the CSU dentistry and oral health programs.

 

President of ADA NSW, Dr Tony Burges said, “ADA NSW sees the CSU dentistry development as a significant step forward in enhancing the recruitment and retention of dentists and oral health professionals in NSW.  It is also likely that graduates from CSU will be able to address issues of shortages of dentists in country areas and impact positively on dental services in those communities”.

 

The MoU will be signed by CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, and Dr Burges as a prelude to the 2009 first intake of dentistry and oral health students.  The united approach seeks to improve the effectiveness of clinical education and professional development of NSW dentistry, CSU students and academic staff.  This will be achieved through shared library access, IT infrastructure, joint academic developments and professional research opportunities.

 

The Head of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at CSU, Professor Ward Massey, will be accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of ADA NSW Dr Matthew Fisher for the occasion along with leading local representatives from the dental profession.

 

Professor Massey said that, “the benefits to our collaboration will be felt beyond the two organisations. Through a shared approach to joint seminars, workshops, continuing professional development and student interaction, regional practitioners and students alike will benefit.  The outcome will be a better, more informed quality of dental service available to regional communities.

 

“In addition, interaction between staff and members of the two organisations will be encouraged to promote opportunities for mentoring and support within the contexts of clinical expertise, skills development and knowledge transfer.”