Addressing the oral health workforce needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
Christopher J. Bourke A C , Andrew McAuliffe A and Lisa M. Jamieson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, Deakin West, ACT, Australia. Email: AMcAuliffe@ahha.asn.au
B Adelaide Dental School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia. Email: lisa.jamieson@adelaide.edu.au
C Corresponding author. Email: cbourke@ahha.asn.au
Australian Health Review 45(4) 407-410 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH20295
Submitted: 14 October 2020 Accepted: 24 March 2021 Published: 2 August 2021
Journal Compilation © AHHA 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Tooth decay and gum disease, the main dental diseases affecting Australians, can cause pain and deformity as well as affecting eating and speech. Dental practitioners are efficient and effective in relieving dental pain, and they can effectively restore oral function. There is good evidence that better health care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients are associated with care from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals. Unfortunately, the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the dental practitioner workforce is very low. We argue that a strategic approach, along with additional investment, is needed to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people qualified as dental practitioners.
Keywords: Indigenous health, workforce, education and training, equity, health policy, dental disease, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, health professionals.
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