Lexi Webster
Australia has a total area of about 7.5 million square kilometres, with nearly 90% of its 21 million population living in major cities or inner regional areas. This uneven distribution of people across the country has resulted in a distorted distribution of dentists. A national audit of dental practice distribution found that 75% of suburbs have no dental practice, and over one-third of the population lives in these suburbs. The number of registered dentists in Australia has increased from around 15,500 in 2013 to around 19,600 in 2022. Western Australia had the highest FTE (full-time equivalent) rate of dental therapists at 6.6.
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia has the highest FTE rate of dental therapists
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, with a population of around 21 million people. The country has a low population density of just 3.5 people per square kilometre. This presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to providing healthcare services, including dentistry.
In 2020, Australia had 57.9 full-time equivalent (FTE) dental practitioners per 100,000 people. This rate varies significantly between states and territories, with the Australian Capital Territory having the highest FTE rate of dentists (69.9), while the Northern Territory has the lowest (36.0). Western Australia, specifically the Kimberley region, has a notable dental care programme. The Kimberley Dental Team is a successful not-for-profit organisation that provides dental health education and treatment to Aboriginal communities. They utilise rotating teams of volunteers to offer preventive and restorative treatments, showcasing the importance of tailored healthcare solutions in remote parts of Australia.
Among the different types of dental practitioners in Australia, including dentists, dental prosthetists, dental hygienists, oral health therapists, and dental therapists, it is worth noting that Western Australia had the highest FTE rate of dental therapists specifically (6.6). Dental therapists are registered primary healthcare professionals who primarily treat children under the supervision of a dentist. They perform procedures such as filling cavities, extracting primary teeth, taking radiographs, and conducting examinations.
The FTE rate of dental therapists in Remote and Very Remote areas across Australia was even higher at 2.9. This is particularly relevant given that approximately 7.1 million people, or about one-third of the population, live in suburbs without access to a dental practice. This includes a significant number of Indigenous Australians, who often reside in remote or very remote areas, facing barriers to accessing dental care.
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A third of Australians live in suburbs without dentists
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, spanning about 7.5 million square kilometres. It is home to 21.5 million people, with nearly 90% of its population living in major cities or inner regional areas. This uneven distribution poses challenges for service access, particularly in the field of dentistry, where workforce shortages and uneven distribution are prevalent issues.
A national audit of dental practice distribution revealed that 75% of suburbs lack a dental practice, resulting in approximately 7.1 million people, or a third of the population, residing in these areas with limited access to dental care. This disparity is more pronounced in certain states, with 95% of suburbs in the Northern Territory lacking a dental practice, compared to 58% in the Australian Capital Territory.
The distribution of dental practices is influenced by economic factors rather than the burden of disease. This market-driven approach results in a shortage of practitioners in certain areas, particularly in regional and remote locations. Consequently, oral health tends to deteriorate as remoteness increases, with rural Australians facing reduced access to dental practitioners, longer travel times, and limited transport options.
To address these disparities, a population health-driven approach has been suggested for the design and construction of government safety net services. This includes considering the complex interplay of factors influencing oral health, such as socioeconomic characteristics, periodontal disease risk factors, and preventive dental behaviours. By adopting a more holistic perspective, Australia can strive to improve oral health outcomes and enhance access to dental care for all its citizens, regardless of their geographical location.
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46% of Australians live in suburbs with 1-5 dentists
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, with a total area of about 7.5 million square kilometres. The country's 21.5 million people are distributed across 8,529 suburbs.
A study that located and mapped every dental practice in the country (both private and public) found that, on average, about one-third of each state's population lives in suburbs without dental practices. This amounts to approximately 7.1 million people, with 2.3 million of those residing in New South Wales.
In contrast, 46% of Australians live in suburbs with one to five dentists. This uneven distribution of dental practices across the country has resulted in significant workforce issues and access problems, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Market-driven service planning in dentistry has been identified as a key factor contributing to this uneven distribution. In a vast and socio-geographically diverse country like Australia, allowing market forces to dictate the distribution of dental practices results in a distorted pattern that does not adequately address disease burden or population needs.
To address these disparities, a more population health-driven approach to the design and construction of government safety net services has been proposed. This would involve considering the specific socio-geographic characteristics of the country and planning services accordingly, rather than relying solely on economic drivers of scale.
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86.6% of Australians live within 5km of a private dentist
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, covering about 7.5 million square kilometres. This vast area is home to around 21.5 million people, with nearly 90% of the population living in major cities or inner regional areas.
When it comes to dental care, Australia has faced significant challenges, including a shortage of practitioners and uneven distribution. To address these issues, a national audit was conducted to examine the distribution of dental practices across the country. The audit revealed that Australia's dental practices are not evenly distributed, with a particular concentration in certain areas. Specifically, it was found that within the sample frame, approximately 75% of suburbs do not have a dental practice, and about one-third of the population lives in these suburbs without easy access to dental care.
Despite these disparities, the audit also showed that 86.6% of Australians live within 5 kilometres of a private dentist. This accessibility is important, as the vast majority of dental care in Australia (over 80%) is provided by private dental practices on a fee-for-service basis. However, it is worth noting that this accessibility is not evenly distributed across all age groups. For those in the 65- to 69-year-old group, only 80% live within 5 kilometres of a government practice and 82% within 5 kilometres of a private practice. On the other hand, for those aged 100 years and above, 93% live within close proximity to both government and private practices.
While the availability of private dental practices is relatively high in Australia, the country continues to face workforce issues in the dental field. The research and policy activities in dental workforce planning are based on sampled data, which may not accurately represent the needs of the diverse Australian population. As a result, there are ongoing discussions and arguments regarding increased workforce development and funding allocation to address these challenges.
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Australia has a shortage of dentists
Australia is facing a shortage of dentists and dental assistants. This issue is particularly prominent in regional and remote areas, where there is a lower proportion of dentists compared to cities. This disparity in access to dental care between urban and rural areas is a significant challenge, impacting around 7.1 million people across Australia who live in suburbs without a dental practice.
A national audit of dental practice distribution in Australia revealed that approximately two-thirds of the population live in suburbs with access to dental practices, while one-third live in suburbs without any practices. This uneven distribution of dental services is influenced by economic factors rather than the disease burden, resulting in a distorted distribution of dentists across the country.
The Australian Dental Association has acknowledged the shortage of dentists and is advocating for greater support for international health practitioners seeking to work in Australia. The recognition of qualifications for overseas-trained dentists is a critical aspect of addressing this issue. Streamlining the assessment process and reducing red tape can help ease the shortage while maintaining the country's strong standards for dental practitioners.
While the number of registered dentists in Australia has increased over the years, ranging from around 15,500 in 2013 to approximately 19,600 in 2022, the distribution of dentists across the country remains uneven. This uneven distribution is particularly challenging in regional and remote areas, where accessing dental care can be difficult for the local population.
To address the shortage of dentists in Australia, particularly in regional and remote areas, a more population health-driven approach is necessary. This includes improving the recognition of international qualifications, streamlining assessment processes, and ensuring that qualified health practitioners can quickly enter the workforce. By addressing these issues, Australia can improve access to dental care for all its citizens, regardless of their location.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia has the highest FTE (full-time equivalent) rate of dental therapists at 6.6 per 100,000 population. The FTE rate of dentists in the state ranges from 36.0 in remote areas to 69.5 in major cities. The overall FTE rate of dentists in Australia was 62.0 per 100,000 population in 2022.
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of about 7.5 million square kilometres. This vast area presents challenges for service access, including dental care. Approximately 7.1 million people live in suburbs without a dental practice across Australia, and about one-third of each state's population lives in suburbs without dental practices.
In 2022, there were 18,876 registered dentists in Australia, up from 15,500 in 2013.
Within the sample frame, 86.6% of Australians live within 5 km of a private dental practice, and 84.4% live within 10 km of a government practice.
