ADA refutes MP's claims about dental courses

The Federal President of the Australian Dental Association Inc., Dr Neil Hewson, said that comments made by Dr Dennis Jensen (Liberal, WA) in Parliament on 18 October were unfounded.

Dr Jensen claimed that ADA and the Australian Medical Association determined enrolment numbers for university courses resulting in restricting competition and high professional fees.

“It is disappointing that a Member of Parliament makes such ill-informed statements without investigating the facts first,” Dr Hewson said.

He said that ADA plays no role in determining enrolment numbers as the Federal Government funds the Commonwealth Supported Places.

Dr Hewson said that dental schools rely on the provision of clinical training places by the public dental agencies of their State.

Students are selected into dentistry on merit, as with all other university courses and these selection procedures come under strict rules and regulations, he said.

ADA continues to call for more funding to dental schools and welcomed the establishment of Health Workforce Australia to provide planning of dental workforce numbers, Dr Hewson added.