Frances Barraclough with Bachelor Oral Health students in Ballina

Rich experience in rural placements

Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) final year students Xiying Lin, Olivia Nguyen, Asal  Khalaf, Farha Omer, Rebecca Sanchez Condezo and Vidhi Joshi are currently attending a block rural placement. This is the first time our students have gone to Ballina in the Northern NSW Local Health District Oral Health Services. 

Supported by the Clinical Director Dr Angie Nilsson and committed oral health staff, students have been exposed to ‘real world’ learning opportunities while providing services to the local community.
In addition to their clinical placement our students have been participating in an interdisciplinary course run by Frances Barraclough, the Academic Coordinator Interdisciplinary Education at the University Centre for Rural Health. This gives our oral health students an opportunity to meet and study with other students from a variety of different programs. 
Dr Angie Nilsson BChD MHPEd GAICD FICD FADI FPFA
Clinical Director, Northern NSW LHD Oral Health Services


“Having the BOH students in NNSWLHD has been fantastic; the patients have been leaving compliments for the care they’ve received, and the staff have been enjoying having the student’s positive energy around. Who knows, maybe they’ll think about considering the Northern Rivers for their first job on graduation?!”.
Frances Barraclough | Lecturer (Academic Coordinator Interdisciplinary Education)
Senior Associate, International Foundation of Integrated Care
“It has been such a pleasure having the Bachelor of Oral Health students participate in the University Centre for Rural Health Interprofessional program, over the two weeks the students have been on placement within the NNSWLHD".
The students shared with other senior students from a range of different disciplines and universities about the role of oral health therapists. The students also heard other students present on vital topics such as exercise physiology and the role of occupational therapy students in residential aged care and schools.
The oral health students worked in small groups with other students to review and prepare a presentation on the National Primary Health Care Plan including a summary of the plan, key recommendations and identifying barriers and enablers for implementing the plan within rural communities.
I look forward to having more oral health students join the program, and being placed within our community” Frances Barraclough
Professor Janet Wallace


Professor Janet Wallace, Director of Oral Health said, our students have reported absolutely loving the placement experiences and are asking for more rural placement opportunities. These placement experiences embed our students into rural and remote communities and provide them with a different experience to that experienced in metropolitan clinics. Rural and remote areas need dental practitioners, and this is a great way to attract new graduates to these areas. 
Dr Angie Nilsson and team with final year Bachelor of Oral Health students