Gippsland dental assistant training course launched

GippsTAFE and the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch today launched a new course to train dental assistants in the Gippsland region. 

The course will be conducted at the GippsTAFE Academy, Traralgon.

Developed by GippsTAFE, following representations from dentists in the Gippsland region, the course will not only assist to address workforce shortage issues but will encourage residents to remain in the local area by providing a training facility closer to home.  The push for the course began last November after the ADAVB received feedback from their local members. 

Regional member dentists have volunteered their time to be part of an Industry Reference Group providing feedback and advice to GippsTAFE and the ADAVB on the course content and delivery strategy. 

GippsTAFE’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Peter Whitley, said the introduction of the course met important criteria – a response to community needs and the development of an industry partnership. 

ADAVB President Associate Professor Matthew Hopcraft said the Association was delighted to see the void in Gippsland being filled by GippsTAFE as prospective dental assistants had to travel to Melbourne to study. 

“This initiative is a win for the people of Gippsland, for dentists and for GippsTAFE,” he said. 

Students completing the Certificate III in Dental Assisting may soon have the opportunity to continue on to the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting - Oral Health Promotion and Diploma of Practice Management. GippsTAFE is currently taking expressions of interest for these courses to commence in 2013 as a plan to provide career paths for dental assistants within the region.