Based in Orange, Professor Andrew Flatau took up the position last week following an already successful nine-year career at the university.

Professor Flatau first joined CSU as an Associate Professor in Clinical Dentistry in 2011, and has extensive experience in dental and anatomical education and research.

He started his new position last Tuesday but he will also continue his role as the university's dentistry discipline lead and year 5 coordinator during the university's transition to online delivery for the remainder of session one this year.

Professor Flatau said he is looking forward to taking on the challenges and opportunities of his new leadership role and continuing his work with the university's staff and students.

"The importance of developing new ways of teaching and assessing the work-readiness of our future health professionals cannot be underestimated and is something the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences is committed to, especially as we all face the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

"In my new role I will also continue to connect all the disciplines of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences with each other and the various social and professional communities in the Charles Sturt University footprint.

"This is an important part of enhancing the reputation of the university and our graduates, while also creating academic collegiality, social cohesion and promoting health, well-being and the quality of life within our communities and rapidly evolving world."

Faculty of Science executive dean Professor Megan Smith said Professor Flatau has made significant contributions to the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences since he joined the university.

"He brings to the position his extensive experience as a dentistry academic, and he has a strong understanding of the school as well as active industry and community connections," Professor Smith said.

"Professor Flatau will build upon the work of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences to produce exceptional graduates equipped to serve the particular health needs of our communities."

Professor Flatau will continue to work from Orange, where he has also been working as a general dental practitioner.

He also has an academic background and co-authored several textbook chapters and academic papers, and he has worked on numerous research projects.

He also has broad national and international teaching experience having taught in various disciplines at the University of Sydney, including in medical and dental disciplines, such as anatomy, histology, restorative dentistry and prosthodontics.

He also taught old Icelandic in the Faculty of Arts.

In 1988 he was a lecturer in oral anatomy and physiology and supervisor of the Facial Pain Clinic at the University of Iceland.

He graduated from the University of Sydney as a dual university medallist in the Faculty of Dentistry and the Faculty of Arts. In 2001, the University of Sydney awarded him his PhD for his thesis on the anatomy of the infratemporal fossa.

Although based in Orange, the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences also has oral health therapy and medical radiation sciences at Wagga Wagga.

Additional dental clinical facilities exist in Dubbo, Bathurst and Albury-Wodonga. The undergraduate program for Medical Radiation Science is also offered as an internal study option at the Port Macquarie campus.