TAFE NSW and University of Sydney Collaborate to Empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Dentistry

Australia: TAFE NSW and the University of Sydney have joined forces to establish a pathway program aimed at assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals in acquiring the necessary skills to pursue a career in the dentistry profession. With support from the NSW Ministry of Health – Centre for Oral Health Strategy, this unique program combines nationally recognized qualifications with on-the-job training, placing a strong emphasis on reconnecting participants with their local communities.

Suzie Woods, Head Teacher of Dental Studies at TAFE NSW, highlighted the program’s structure, stating, “Participants are supported to complete the nationally accredited Certificate III in Dental Assisting over one year, while being employed as trainees – so they can gain workplace skills while gaining a qualification.” Moreover, the program’s costs, including travel, accommodation, uniforms, and laptops, are covered by the University of Sydney Scholarship scheme.

Increasing Representation in Healthcare 

Professor Heiko Spallek, Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Dental School at the University of Sydney, praised the innovative program as a model for other health professions where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation is lacking. 

“This program demonstrates the power of the vocational education and university sectors working in partnership to address entrenched, system-level barriers which have prevented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from participating fully across all roles in critical workforces,” said Prof Spallek.

The program’s inaugural cohort, comprised of students from Thunggutti/Dunghutti (Kempsey), Wiradjuri (Dubbo and Orange), Bulgarr Ngaru (Casino), Darug (Penrith), and Gadigal (Woolloomooloo), began their journey in April 2023. 

This group will complete the Certificate III in Dental Assisting by December 2023. The training is delivered through a combination of weekly virtual classes and four face-to-face practical training blocks per year. It is anticipated that the program will be offered annually for three years, with the next intake scheduled for July 2023.

Impact on Student Success

Among the program’s participants is Kiara-Lee Kovacs, a 25-year-old Kamilaroi woman who is currently pursuing the Certificate III in Dental Assisting. Kovacs expressed her enthusiasm for the pathway program and her aspiration to become a dentist, stating, “I’ve always had a passion for helping others, and after working as a hairdresser for seven years, I decided I needed a change.” She emphasized the practical skills she has gained, such as sterilizing equipment and assisting with procedures like root canals, which have been challenging yet rewarding.

Kovacs acknowledged the program’s significant impact on her life as a young Aboriginal woman and a mother, saying, “Juggling my studies while looking after my two-year-old daughter isn’t always easy, but the support of my teachers and my family has been invaluable.” She eagerly anticipates progressing to the Bachelor of Oral Health at the University of Sydney next year, driven by her desire to continue making a difference and helping others.

This collaborative program between TAFE NSW and the University of Sydney is a commendable initiative to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and address the underrepresentation of these communities in critical health professions.