Equipping the next generation of dentists is a key focus of the Australian Dental Association (the ADA). This is particularly important when it comes to ensuring that there are sufficient members of the profession to work with First Nations people and in rural & remote regions, both of which are chronically underserved by healthcare professionals across the board.
Understanding how important it is to support those who wish to work in both environments, the ADA offers up the following two grants for people studying to become dentists.
Applications opened on Monday 2 January 2023 and close cob Friday 31 March 2023.
1. ADA First Nations Grant
This grant is designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have demonstrated a commitment and desire to contribute to the dental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities after they graduate.
Five ADA First Nations Study Grants of $5,000 each are available in 2023.
To apply, download a form at First Nation Dentist grants.
2. ADA Rural & Remote Dental Students Grant
In 2023 there will be two categories of the Rural & Remote Study Grant:
a. Returning to origins
This grant is designed to support students who have come from rural or remote communities, and who have demonstrated a significant commitment and desire to return to work in rural and remote areas after they graduate.
Five ADA Returning to origins study grants of $5,000 each are available in 2023.
b. Hardship
This grant is designed to support students who are experiencing hardship regardless of their geographical background and have demonstrated a significant commitment and desire to work in rural and remote areas after they graduate.
Five ADA hardship Study Grants of $5,000 each are available in 2023.
A past recipient of an ADA Rural and Remote Study Grant is David Bailey who was featured in the November 2021 edition of the News Bulletin.
According to Dave, from Mutchilba in Far North Queensland, the grant made an incredible difference for him particularly as his first child was born during his second year of study and he is running the family farm and commuting to James Cook University for placements.
"It's taken the financial pressure off us. Ful time study, travelling, plus raising a newborn – which is hard in itself! I really want to thank ADA for having these grants. It means a lot, both in terms of financial support and the recognition of some of the challenges you might face in a rural or remote place."
To apply, download a form at Rural & Remote grants
The grants are now open with applications open until 31 March, for full details go to ada.org.au/ADA-Grants
