More dentists per capita since 1986

The per capita rate of dentists and doctors working in Australia has increased over the last 20 years while the rate of nurses has recovered from a decline, according to a new analysis of Census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The ABS found that between 1986 and 2006, the number of general practitioners per 100,000 people increased from 152.6 to 178.6, the rate of specialists nearly doubled - from 57.7 to 92 - and dentist numbers went from 40.5 to 45.7 per 100,000 people.

The number of nurses per 100,000 people fell between 1986 and 1996 (from 1,113.7 to 1,048.7), but came back to 1,106.9 in 2006.

Selected Health Occupations: Australia, 2006 can be viewed at: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/4819.0?OpenDocument

According to the Australian Council of Social Services in their 2007 report on behalf of Australia Fair, A Fair Go for all Australians, "Australia has the 19th lowest supply of dentists per person as well as shortages in rural areas" (p.26).

The recent estalishment of a number of new dental schools around the couuntry, and significant increases in student intakes at established schools, seem to have addressed the shortage issue. Consequently, the focus now needs to turn to the maldistribution of the workforce - especially in the public sector and rural aeas.