New dental school deferred, public services to be tendered out as South Australia Government cuts funding Bundoora Dental Group have donated their time free to the underprivileged. Dr Jonathan Kwok and Nikki Milwian Source: News Limited PLANS to build a new School of Dentistry at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site have been dumped and the Adelaide Dental Hospital will be wound down, with its services put out to tender. The moves, triggered by the State Government's search for savings in the Health Department, have prompted dual warnings of cuts to community care as well as a shortage of dental students. Dentists are furious at the decision by the University of Adelaide not to move the School of Dentistry from Frome Rd to the new Royal Adelaide Hospital site with the Schools of Medicine and Nursing. Australian Dental Association SA branch president Dr Jack Gaffey said the decision would leave the future of the School of Dentistry in limbo. Dr Gaffey said he was assured earlier this year by the University's Executive Dean, Professor Justin Beilby, that the School of Dentistry would also be moved to the new West End campus. He said the backflip would jeopardise the future of dental education in South Australia. "The ADASA is surprised at the favouritism shown by the University of Adelaide's Faculty of Health Sciences to the Schools of Medicine and Nursing in comparison to its shabby treatment of Dentistry," Dr Gaffey said. We are very concerned that the effects of isolation of the Dental School will impact on the future of dental education and research in South Australia. This disastrous and uncertain move could result in the Dental School not taking in new students in future years. Dr Gaffey met Health Minister Jack Snelling on Thursday about the issue but the State Government refused to commit any funding for a new Dental School. Prof Beilby said the University had planned to build a new Adelaide Dental Hospital as part of the Dental School in the new medical precinct. However, it was recently told the State Government would not fund it. "That means we must adjust our plans accordingly," he said. The University has now deferred plans for new facilities for its Dental School until next year and resolved to start construction in the West End for Medicine and Nursing education only. Prof Beilby said SA Health has also advised that, from 2015, it would downsize the existing Adelaide Dental Hospital on Frome Rd from 150 dental chairs to about 30. It would also tender out the public dental service. "University of Adelaide staff and students currently provide over 60 per cent of the public dental services in South Australia," Prof Beilby said. This decision may prevent the University from continuing to offer much-needed care to the community while also restricting essential student clinical training opportunities. Comment is being sought from the State Government.