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Gone are the aged and cracked phantom heads – The Clinical Skills Simulation Laboratory has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, with 71 phantom heads installed (replacing 56 phantom heads installed in 2001), under the tender of Dentsply.

“The CSSL refurbishment is an innovative, signature project that supports the UWA Dental School's strategic plan aligning
with two current priorities set by the Vice-Chancellor, namely ‘The future of learning at UWA’ and ‘The UWA Student Learning Experience’.”

“The new CSSL will facilitate advancing academic excellence, promoting world-class, technology-rich, hands-on learning, and enhancing the dental students’ clinical skills says Associate Professor Robert Anthonappa. “In addition, it will increase clinical efficiency, and notably, enhance the students learning experience within a competency-based pedagogy.”

Helping to future-proof the Dental School

Dean and Head of School/Director of OHCWA, Professor Hien Ngo, says the CSSL allows the Dental School to be viable into the future.

“Since the inception of OHCWA there has been a physical cap of 56 students per year,” he explains. “All dental schools in the Go8 University would be much larger than that (around 100 students in the Eastern States). This will allow the UWA Dental School to expand class size to 70 by bringing in 14 extra full-fee paying international students.”

He adds larger cohorts mean OHCWA can provide more services to the underserved communities in WA. Additionally, extra DMD students will also mean the School will be able to grow their DCD (Specialist) training program. DMD student, Ranundi De Silva, says there are standout features of the new clinic. “The convenience with the new phantom heads is a personal favourite addition of mine, especially with the automatic suction that you can enable,” he says. “The closer replication to the ground floor clinic with the set-up for hand pieces and light mirroring the GF clinic makes the transition between the simulation clinic and real clinic much smoother,” he adds.

The generosity of others

Professor Ngo thanks all the donors who have contributed to date, especially the Western Australian Dental Foundation for driving the campaign, Associate Professor Mithran Goonewardene, Dental Cases Panel Pty Ltd, Delta Sigma Delta WA Graduate Chapter, Dental Unicon WA (Inc), Dental Study Group and new fellows of the WA Dental Foundation Dr Abhishek Singh, Dr Minh Dien Tran, Dr Meredith Arcus, Dr Ajitha Kanupuru, Dr Janina Christoforou, Dr Amit Gurbuxani, The Honourable Dr John Day
and Dr Lahiru Chandraweera. ADAWA was also a donor.
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“Although the facility is now operational, there is still an opportunity for members of the dental community to contribute to the project, in advance of the official opening,” says Dr John Day, Patron, Clinical Skills Simulation Laboratory Project, Western Australian Dental Foundation. “When students enter this room, they will see the names of the individuals and organisations who have contributed to support their skill development and will warmly welcome them into the profession as colleagues. I particularly encourage fellow dental graduates, who have benefited from being a member of the profession, to assist in leaving a legacy at the University for students of the future.”