❓ Hon Neil Thomson asks about the state of dental therapy services in WA schools, including the number of centres, therapists, vacancies, and children treated. The Minister for Health provides figures on staffing, vacancies, and service delivery, referencing the national oral health plan.
AnsweredQoN 767Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DENTAL THERAPY
767. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
current situation with free dental services through school dental therapy
centres.
(1) How many
dental therapy centres are there in Western Australia?
(3) How many full-time equivalent dental therapists
are currently employed in the state's dental therapy system?
(3) How many
vacant dental therapy positions are there?
(4) What
percentage of the total eligible number of school-aged children were treated in
2022–23?
767. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
current situation with free dental services through school dental therapy
centres.
(1) How many
dental therapy centres are there in Western Australia?
(3) How many full-time equivalent dental therapists
are currently employed in the state's dental therapy system?
(3) How many
vacant dental therapy positions are there?
(4) What
percentage of the total eligible number of school-aged children were treated in
2022–23?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Health.
(1)–(4) There
are 140 full-time equivalent dental officers and dental therapists employed
across 160 fixed and mobile dental therapy centres as part of the School Dental
Service. Across the SDS, there are 39.9 FTE vacancies. Where required, locum
dental officers are being utilised to address vacancies. In addition,
Perth-based dental health service dental officers and therapists are deployed
from their existing clinics to provide
short-term care in country locations. Thirty-eight per cent of children
enrolled in the School Dental Service received care in 2022–23.
Under Australia's national oral health plan 2015–2024 ,
it is recommended that children receive an oral health check-up every two
years.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Health.
(1)–(4) There
are 140 full-time equivalent dental officers and dental therapists employed
across 160 fixed and mobile dental therapy centres as part of the School Dental
Service. Across the SDS, there are 39.9 FTE vacancies. Where required, locum
dental officers are being utilised to address vacancies. In addition,
Perth-based dental health service dental officers and therapists are deployed
from their existing clinics to provide
short-term care in country locations. Thirty-eight per cent of children
enrolled in the School Dental Service received care in 2022–23.
Under Australia's national oral health plan 2015–2024 ,
it is recommended that children receive an oral health check-up every two
years.
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