The Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) is once again hosting final-year dental students for a six-week placement at the public dental clinic in the Broken Hill Community Health Centre.
This marks the first group of students welcomed by FWLHD since October 2020, due to disruptions caused by the pandemic.
During their tenure, the students will engage in public dentistry consultations and assist with a variety of treatments.
Their additional support will enable the Broken Hill Public Dental Service to offer extra clinic days, thereby reducing the existing public dental waitlist.
The students are supervised by dentists affiliated with the University of Sydney—Dr. Kate Jung, Dr. Diana Mruk, and Dr. Peter Hill—all of whom have previous experience treating patients in community health centres and are well-acquainted with the local community and the clinic’s location at the intersection of Sulphide Street and Crystal Street.
FWLHD Oral Health Manager Karen Kennedy expressed enthusiasm for the return of the student program. “We are very fortunate to be able to host dental students again, where they gain valuable exposure and experience in a public dental setting.”
She added, “It’s a very positive experience for everyone by hosting dental students. Student placements assist greatly in the reduction and management of public dental waitlists. The patients are happy to see the students and the LHD truly appreciates the work they do.”
The dental student program is a collaborative effort between FWLHD, the University Department of Rural Health (UDRH), and the University of Sydney’s School of Dentistry, supported by the NSW Health Centre for Oral Health Strategy.
PICTURE: Dental students return to the Far West LHD (from left): Gurkaran Singh, Tony Lahoud, Dr Diana Mruk (Clinical Supervisor), Bahar Pouryosefi Kermani and Nishi Parikh.
