Rural oral health workforce issues in NSW and the Charles Sturt University Dentistry Program

John C. Skinner; Ward L. Massey; Mark A. Burton

doi:10.1071/NB08065

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Rural oral health workforce issues in NSW and the Charles Sturt University Dentistry Program

John C. Skinner ^A ^D , Ward L. Massey ^B and Mark A. Burton ^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Centre for Oral Health Strategy, NSW Department of Health

^B Faculty of Dentistry and Health Sciences, Charles Sturt University

^C Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University

^D Corresponding author. Email: john_skinner@wsahs.nsw.gov.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 20(4) 56-58 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB08065
Published: 27 April 2009

Abstract

Adequate numbers of dental, medical and allied health professionals in rural and regional areas of NSW are vital for the health of these populations and supporting local community structures and economies. Well-documented shortages of health professionals are a major social and political issue in rural and regional communities and this workforce shortfall is recognised by both the NSW Government State Plan and the State Health Plan. This paper outlines rural and regional dental workforce shortages in NSW and describes current rural oral health workforce initiatives, including the new Charles Sturt University Dentistry Program.

References

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