Mr. Zempilas asks about dental therapist FTE positions, vacancies, and recruitment efforts in WA's School Dental Service, particularly in regional areas. The Minister responded with tabled data and outlined recruitment strategies.

AnsweredQoN 965Legislative Assembly
Asked
23 October 2025
Portfolio
Health; Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) For each month from 1 January 2024 to 30 September 2025, how many full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for dental therapists were: (a) budgeted; (b) filled; and (c) vacant? (2) Please provide the data in part (1) broken down by region (i.e. North Metropolitan, South Metropolitan, Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest, Goldfields, Wheatbelt, Great Southern, and South West)? (3) What is the current number of advertised or active recruitment processes for dental therapists across Western Australia as at 30 September 2025? (4) What strategies is the Department of Health implementing to address workforce shortages in the School Dental Service, particularly in regional areas?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Minister for Health; Mental Health
Response time
7 days
(1-2)
Please see tabled paper xxxx
(3-4)
Seventeen recruitment processes have been completed in 2025 and three advertised recruitment pools are currently active. Strategies to attract and retain staff include the implementation of an attraction and retention initiative for regional dental therapists and targeted promotions to recruit local, interstate and international dental therapists

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