Paul has qualified as a dental technician having obtained a Certificate IV in Oral Health Promotion following earlier completion of a Certificate III in Dental Assisting.

“I feel awesome,” Mr Talbot said of the achievement.

“To have finally finished after two long years of really hard work – it has really paid off. I’m hoping to go on to train as a dental prosthetist and in the meantime I’ll work on Poche’s denture clinic.”

The denture clinic forms part of the Poche Centre’s award-winning mobile oral health services. A van kitted out with dental laboratory facilities travels through regional NSW towns – including Mr Talbot’s home town of Boggabilla – fitting and supplying up to 12 sets of dentures in four days to people living in rural and remote Aboriginal communities.

Kylie Gwynne, Director of the Poche Centre, said Paul had completed his course with great dedication and outstanding marks.

“We are tremendously proud to know and work alongside him and we know he will continue make a real difference in Aboriginal health,” Ms Gwynne said.

John Skinner, Director of the Centre for Oral Health Strategy NSW, also expressed his admiration for Paul’s achievements.

“Paul’s success is a success for us all because he is helping to change dental care in NSW,” he said.

“He's been an encouragement to other Aboriginal young people to undertake further study. We’ve been proud to support Paul throughout his scholarship and we know he has a great career ahead of him.”

The Dental Technology Scholarship Program is a collaboration between the Poche Centre, NSW Health, NSW Dental Council and the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.

Eleven Aboriginal cadets from across NSW received a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice, a registered qualification through the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency(AHPRA).