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Australian oral health workforce: the oral health professions workforce survey 2020
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 Australian oral health workforce: the oral health professions workforce survey 2020
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Dental hygienists (DHs), Dental therapists (DTs), and Oral health therapists (OHTs) are registered dental practitioners. There are currently over 4,900 registered DH, DT and OHTs in Australia, representing approximately 20% of the total dental workforce. This report aimed to investigate the current demographic, geographic and employment characteristics of DH, DT and OHTs in Australia. The Oral Health Professions Workforce Survey 2020 was a cross-sectional study of DH, DT and OHTs. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Respondents were asked a series of demographic and employment characteristic questions and 619 individuals participated. Respondents had been practising for an average of 15.9 years, and the majority were 30 years or older (84.0%) and female (95.5%).
- Over 70% of all respondents’ held one job only.
- A quarter reported working 20-29 hours weekly and 43% worked 30-39 hours.
- Approximately half were employed part-time followed by full-time (24%) and casual (23%) employment.
- The median annual full-time equivalent (FTE) income was $97,500 and $92,708 for the previous two financial years (2018/2019 and 2019/2020) respectively.
- As age and years of practice increased, the median FTE 2019/2020 annual income reported also increased.
- The majority of respondents reported working in private general dental practice (63%), were receiving superannuation (91%), had no other additional employment benefits (56%) and did not report working unpaid overtime (63%).
- Two-thirds reported they had no intention to change their career.
The majority of respondents reported holding one job currently and this did not change before and after COVID-19. Hours remained similar pre- and post-COVID-19 with respondents reporting on average 32 and 30 hours weekly respectively. Hourly wages remained similar pre- and post-COVID-19 with respondents reporting on average $52.50 and $53.00 hourly respectively. The employment profile for DH, DT and OHTs were indicative of a stable and utilised workforce. The characteristics of respondents’ principal place of employment were telling of the historical context to the occupations. DH’s were primarily employed in the private sector, where as OHT and DTs in public settings.
