STATE health minister Daniel Andrews will today open La Trobe University’s new $1.9 million dental and oral health clinic laboratories.The new State Government-funded facilities include a 30-chair simulation laboratory and 32-chair general purpose laboratory, giving dental and oral health students access to the latest technology.The new labs are in addition to the existing 32-chair oral health laboratory that was completed in 2006.The new laboratories include audiovisual systems that are fully integrated with teaching stations and allow lecturers to deliver material to students in any of the laboratories or to any combination of laboratories.One simulation laboratory also allows students to access teaching material on individual computers.La Trobe University’s regional pro vice-chancellor Professor Hal Swerissen said the new laboratories demonstrated the university’s aim to strengthen its regional presence.“La Trobe University is committed to enhancing its well established reputation in providing health science courses that help to promote the recruitment of health professionals in rural and regional locations,” he said.“The Bendigo dental school will have regional clinics in places such as Albury-Wodonga, Mildura and Melton.“We know that people who study in regional locations tend to stay in country areas when they qualify.”Head of the School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Professor Peter Wilson said the new facilities set the benchmark for dental and oral health education.“I believe La Trobe University now has one of the best facilities of its kind in the world; it is an outstanding showcase of a cutting-edge facility, designed like a modern museum,” he said.