A series of renovations are improving student education and patient care at Australia’s leading dental teaching hospital.
Each week, Melbourne Dental School (MDS) students — Victoria’s future oral health workforce — expand their knowledge, hone their skills and gain experience caring for dental patients at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RDHM).
The hospital, operated by Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV), provides essential public dental services and emergency care to Victorians. Through the hospital, DHSV and MDS have created a mutually supportive partnership — the hospital is one of MDS’ primary placement providers. Here, students learn and apply their knowledge while learning from the hospital’s experienced clinical educators.
This commitment to ensuring high-quality care for patients and providing the best possible educational experience for MDS students has led to a series of recent upgrades and renovations across the hospital.
“We’re upgrading our operating theatres with new theatre pendants and advanced lighting systems to create a more efficient and comfortable working environment. We‘re also introducing dimmable lighting to help ease patient anxiety during procedures,” says Rebecca Paterson, DHSV Chief Operating Officer.
“We’re improving our teaching clinics by installing new X-ray arms. Previously, there were two X-ray units per 16 chairs, but soon we’ll have one for every two chairs. Additionally, we’re investing in more cameras and instruments to ensure that both staff and students always have the necessary equipment readily available.”
New dental chairs, a more welcoming and spacious foyer, a cafe and a streamlined patient booking process are also part of the upgrades, says Charlotte Morgans, MDS School Manager. She says that as well as building technical skills and knowledge, training at the hospital encourages students to consider working in the public health system.
“Students build their professional practice, expertise, technical dexterity and overall knowledge of the benefits of public dentistry,” says Ms Morgans. “They begin to understand the issues people face in accessing dental care and they are exposed to some very challenging cases as not all people can afford day-to-day dental care.”
Ms Paterson adds: “Our role is to support the teaching and learning of the future oral health workforce so they can qualify and provide an excellent standard of care for patients.”
MDS students are vital in delivering treatment to patients at the hospital and our partnership with MDS is critical to the hospital’s success.
The work is due to be completed in 2025.
Interested in joining a tour of the completed renovations?
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