Report on dental labour force released

There are some worrying trends regarding the number of dentists working in Victoria, according to a report released today.
The Australian Institute of Health Welfare report shows that Victoria has not seen any growth in full-time employed dentists between 2000 and 2006 with the rate (per 100,000 population) being stable at 50.5. This figure compares with NSW (from 55.8 to 60.4), Queensland (from 49.9 to 54.2), ACT (from 65.1 to 75.5), Tasmania (from 27.9 to 37.6), NT (from 33.3 to 44.0) and Australia overall (from 52.7 to 55.2) . This means that Victoria is falling further behind the national average. This data is prior to La Trobe University’s graduating students (commencing at the end of next year). The report also highlights that Victoria has lower than national average number of dentists working in the public sector.
Capital cities continue to have more dentists per head of population than other areas and numbers have decreased in inner regional areas, according to the report.