June 2003

Grants attract dentists to rural areas

Dental services in country areas will be boosted after the State Government awarded scholarships to six dental students to entice them to work in rural and regional Victoria.

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said the six–fourth and fifth year undergraduate students—had agreed to work in country public dental practices for the length of the scholarship.

The students—Vei Nee Phoon, Helen Veronina, Lin Liang, Ailin Teo, Henry Wong and Imran Ali—will each receive $5,000 scholarships.

‘As part of their advanced training they will live in country Victoria and work in public dental practices.

‘There is an acute shortage of dentists in country towns and provincial centres and our scholarships will help meet a definite need.

‘Almost 60 per cent of rural public dental clinics have vacancies, so any scheme to bring dentists to work in country centres will be of direct and immediate benefit to lower-income residents.’

The scholarships were made available through the Rural Health Scholarship Foundation.

The Department of Human Services will now work with the public dental clinics to allocate the students to the areas of most need.

‘We hope that with a thorough introduction to the attractions of living and working in country Victoria, the scholarship-holders will decide to stay on,’ Ms Pike said.

‘A rural placement enables people to gain a true appreciation of life and practice in a rural or regional setting and form networks and friendships that may help keep them in their new community.

‘They also perform a valuable role in helping address the shortage of public sector dentists on country areas.’

The Government announced an extra $21 million over four years in the Budget to reduce waiting times in public dental services.

Funding was also provided to train an additional 20 dental therapists each year.