Australien » Dental program to increase rural access

A FEDERAL training program will place 46 new graduates at public dental facilities across the country.

Health Minister Tanya Plibersek says the $88.3 million voluntary dental graduate program aimed to give people living in regional and remote Australia better access to public dental treatment.

"There are some parts of Australia where it's almost impossible to see a dentist," she told reporters on Tuesday.

"By providing the support for dentists to relocate particularly to rural areas and remote locations you have better distribution of dental care services in Australia."

The program, starting from January 21 this year, will see 31 dental services nationally host 46 graduates.

Of the 46 graduates, 25 will be placed in metropolitan areas, 16 in regional Australia and five in remote areas.

Ms Plibersek said the program also gave graduates the opportunity and support to develop skills.

"What they're committing to doing is upgrading their skills, learning on the job ... working with mentors and supervisors to really fast-track their practical skills in dentistry."

The program aims to put an extra 100 dental graduates into the program every year by 2016.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/break...l-1226559452664