Professor Hal Swerissen, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, welcomed the budget announcement for recognising the crucial shortages of dentists in rural and regional Victoria.
He said the State Government commitment in 2007-2008 will enable La Trobe University to expand the state of the art pre-clinical oral health laboratories that exist at the Bendigo campus to accommodate the new dental program.
The development of the dental school builds on the University’s partnership with Dental Health Services Victoria. From 2008, fifty students each year will receive quality education in dentistry in regional and rural areas.
Professor Swerissen said: ‘The Faculty of Health Sciences already has an innovative, highly successful oral health program to educate dental hygienists and dental therapists.
‘Once fully operational the new dental school will have three satellite clinics in Northern Victoria.
‘The overall commitment by the Victorian Government to oral and dental health provides the opportunity for the Faculty of Health Sciences to establish a dental program that will significantly increase the dental workforce in the country,’ Professor Swerissen added.
Thursday, 3 May 2007 $1.5m toward La Trobe dental school for regional VictoriaThe Victorian State Government Budget announcement of $1.5 million in 2007-2008 will provide part of the funding required to establish a new regional dental school at La Trobe University.