Dental economic expectations remain weak

With dental practices reporting reduced demand for treatment, it is perhaps not surprising that the latest edition of the ACCI Business Expectations Survey showed most business conditions indicators remained in negative territory over the June quarter of 2013.

The survey also notes "It is concerning that recent improvements in business confidence are waning, with most expectations indicators for the September quarter recording a decline".  The chart below shows both the trend and the seasonally adjusted index below the 50 mark, which separates expansion from contraction.

A workforce survey completed by the ADAVB in July showed that over 50 Victorian recent graduates were only able to obtain limited part-time work when they wanted to work full-time.  Eleven have not been able to find work.  Similar concerns have been expressed by ADA Branches in other States.

Another 120 graduates from the Melbourne and Latrobe Universities, along with up to 50 graduates of the Australian Dental Council examinations, will be seeking employment at the end of this year, and yet the Australian Government still lists dentists on the Skilled Occupation List. 

It is not good policy to attract overseas trained practitioners to Australia with a message that we have a shortage of dentists when in fact they will be joining local graduates in long job queues.