North Metropolitan TAFE’s Dental Training Facility Boosts Industry Prospects

AUSTRALIA: North Metropolitan TAFE’s (NM TAFE) Leederville campus has unveiled its impressive $2.6 million dental training facility, ushering in a new era of specialist dental education in Western Australia.

Training Minister Simone McGurk inaugurated the facility, highlighting that its strategic location in Leederville positions NM TAFE to expand its dental qualification offerings, with a particular focus on digital technology integration. 

The state-of-the-art facility is set to enhance access to training and on-site services for dental students while producing a more substantial pool of job-ready graduates for the dental industry.

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Meeting the Demand for Skilled Dental Support Workers

Western Australia is experiencing a growing demand for skilled dental support workers, and this trend is expected to persist in the coming years. The relocation of NM TAFE’s dental training to Leederville and the subsequent expansion of the facility aim to address this demand effectively.

Participation in NM TAFE’s dental training courses surged by an impressive 26 percent in 2022 when compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019. This substantial increase reflects the growing interest in dental education and the need for more skilled professionals in the field.

The new dental training facility boasts significantly more space for students, tripling NM TAFE’s capacity to produce well-trained individuals for the dental industry. Its features include purpose-built dental assisting practice clinics, cutting-edge laboratories, advanced digital technology, radiography equipment, sterilisation facilities, plaster rooms, burnout casting areas, storage rooms, fume cupboards, and chemical storage facilities.

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State Government’s Commitment to Industry-Standard Training

The State Government has invested $25 million in new equipment for Western Australia’s TAFEs, with $295,000 of that sum dedicated to NM TAFE’s dental training facility. This investment has facilitated the acquisition of state-of-the-art radiography equipment, CAD software licenses, scanners, 3D printers, imaging units, computers, ultrasonic baths, and cure boxes. The introduction of 3D digital scanning and printing technology equips students with the skills needed to excel in the evolving dental industry.

The facility’s design was a collaborative effort between architects Carvalho Design Solutions and A-dec, a leading dental equipment manufacturer. This partnership ensured that the facility incorporates the latest dental technology and design principles.

Expansive Range of Dental Qualifications

NM TAFE now offers four dental qualifications at its Leederville campus, including the Certificate III and IV in Dental Assisting, Certificate III in Dental Laboratory Assisting, and the Diploma of Dental Technology. Starting from 2024, the institution will also provide one-day-a-week courses for secondary students to obtain a Certificate III in Dental Laboratory Assisting.

For those interested in pursuing dental qualifications, a range of free and low-fee options is available through the State Government’s “FREE IN ’23” program, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, and the “Lower fees, local skills” initiative. These initiatives aim to make dental education more accessible and affordable to aspiring professionals.

The new dental training facility at NM TAFE’s Leederville campus stands as a beacon of progress in dental education and a testament to Western Australia’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for skilled dental professionals.

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