La Trobe University recently officially opened its $21 million Rural Dentistry and Oral Health Clinical School in the heart of Bendigo. This new facility will foster a deeper integration of teaching, research, and clinical placements, enabling students to stay at the forefront of regional health services.
Located on Arnold Street within the La Trobe Clinical Teaching Building, adjacent to the Bendigo Health Centre, the new school features 82 simulation stations, 16 dental chairs, and advanced radiology and digital denture fabrication equipment.
This move will enable La Trobe to enroll 150 dental and oral health students annually, meeting the growing national demand for high-quality dental education and ensuring students have the practical skills to successfully transition into their careers.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell, noted that this facility upgrade is part of the university’s $170 million health innovation investment across all Victorian campuses, aimed at strengthening health education facilities and delivering high-quality health services to the community.
Professor Farrell said, “The School provides students with a learning experience immersive in real-world clinical settings, enhancing their employability and responding to the urgent need for qualified dental professionals in rural Australia. Its proximity to the Bendigo Health Centre further strengthens the University’s presence in the local CBD.”
Data shows that by 2025, nearly 70% of dentists in La Trobe will be from regional areas, with over 3% identified as Indigenous – double the number from the previous year.
Professor Jane Mills, Director of La Trobe’s School of Rural Health and Vice-President of Health Innovation, noted that regional training is crucial to building a sustainable dental workforce.
Professor Mills said, “Research shows that students from rural backgrounds are more likely to return to their home region to practice. La Trobe University’s investment will break down barriers to entry, allowing students to receive world-class dental training locally, using cutting-edge technology.”
