Since 2023, Rural Health West has partnered with The University of Western Australia Dental School to deliver immersive rural placements for final-year dental students – an initiative that is shaping the next generation of dental professionals while strengthening access to oral health care in remote communities.
Led by senior lecturer Dr Jilen Patel, the program places students in rural clinics across the Pilbara and Kimberley, where they work alongside experienced clinicians and engage in meaningful community outreach. These placements provide far more than clinical skills – they build cultural competence, strengthen problem-solving, and deepen understanding of rural health systems and community dynamics.
For students like Jim Rae, who completed his placement at Mawarnkarra Health Service in Roebourne, the experience has been career-defining.
“You’re not just treating teeth, you’re earning trust and trying to address barriers that go well beyond the clinical,” Jim shared. He now plans to practise in regional WA and mentor other students pursuing rural pathways.
These immersive placements are essential for workforce development. They not only provide high-quality care to communities with limited dental services, but also create opportunities for students to experience the rewards and challenges of rural practice.