❓ Mr Cook asks about dentist-to-population ratios in WA and its health services for 2012 and 2013, compared to other states. The Minister provides data for 2011 (national) and 2012 (WA), citing data collection timing issues for the inability to provide 2013 figures.
AnsweredQoN 453Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) As of 31 March 2012: (a) what was the ratio of dentists to population in Western Australia and how did this compare to the same ratio in other Australian states; and (b) what was the specific ratio of dentists to population in the North Metropolitan Health Service, South metropolitan Health Service and Western Australian Country Health Service? (2) As of 31 March 2013: (a) what was the ratio of dentists to population in Western Australia and how did this compare to the same ratio in other Australian states; and (b) what was the specific ratio of dentists to population in the North Metropolitan Health Service, South Metropolitan Health Service and Western Australian Country Health Service?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 August 2013
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
51 days
The most current national data is from 2011. The most current state data is from 2012. These questions have been answered with the most current available data. The Department of Health are unable to provide the comparison "at March 2012" with "at March 2013" given the timings of the data/information collection.
(1)(a) National data on dental workforce is collected periodically. The most recent information available (Table A), was published in 2013 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Table A: Dentists (both public and private) per 100,000 population, states and territories, 2011.
NSW
Vic
Qld
WA
SA
Tas
ACT
NT
Total
59.0
56.0
56.5
56.6
61.0
36.6
62.8
41.5
57.0
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2013. Dental workforce 2011. National health workforce series no. 4. Cat. no. HWL 50. Canberra: AIHW.
Western Australia's ratio of dentists (public and private) to 100,000 population was 56.6. The national ratio is 57.0. Western Australia ranks fourth highest when compared to the rest of the country, behind Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and New South Wales.
(b) In 2012 (most current data available), the ratio of dentists (public only) per 100,000 by area health service catchments within WA is summarised in Table B. The ratio of dentists (public and private) per 100,000 by area health service catchments within WA is summarised in Table C.
Table B: Ratio of
public
dentists (FTE) per 100,000 population, health service, 2012.
WA Health is funded to provide public dental services to the eligible population only (Health Care and Pensioner Concession Cardholders).
North Metropolitan
Health Service
South Metropolitan
Health Service
WA Country
Health Service
Western
Australia
17.3
17.3
21.4
18.3
Source: WA Dental Health Services, Centrelink
The ratio of public
and
private dentists (FTE) per 100,000 population is provided below (Table C), in order to provide the fuller picture of dentist ratios within WA.
Table C: Ratio of
public and private
dentists (FTE) per 100,000 population, health service, 2012*.
North
Metropolitan
Health Service
South Metropolitan
Health Service
WA Country
Health Service
Western
Australia
74.9
53.3
39.8
59.1
Source: WA Dental Health Services, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Dental Association, WA Branch.
* It is assumed that every private dentist registered by the Australian Dental Association is equivalent to 1 FTE.
(2)(a)-(b) Unable to provide comparative data as at March 2013.
(1)(a) National data on dental workforce is collected periodically. The most recent information available (Table A), was published in 2013 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Table A: Dentists (both public and private) per 100,000 population, states and territories, 2011.
NSW
Vic
Qld
WA
SA
Tas
ACT
NT
Total
59.0
56.0
56.5
56.6
61.0
36.6
62.8
41.5
57.0
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2013. Dental workforce 2011. National health workforce series no. 4. Cat. no. HWL 50. Canberra: AIHW.
Western Australia's ratio of dentists (public and private) to 100,000 population was 56.6. The national ratio is 57.0. Western Australia ranks fourth highest when compared to the rest of the country, behind Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and New South Wales.
(b) In 2012 (most current data available), the ratio of dentists (public only) per 100,000 by area health service catchments within WA is summarised in Table B. The ratio of dentists (public and private) per 100,000 by area health service catchments within WA is summarised in Table C.
Table B: Ratio of
public
dentists (FTE) per 100,000 population, health service, 2012.
WA Health is funded to provide public dental services to the eligible population only (Health Care and Pensioner Concession Cardholders).
North Metropolitan
Health Service
South Metropolitan
Health Service
WA Country
Health Service
Western
Australia
17.3
17.3
21.4
18.3
Source: WA Dental Health Services, Centrelink
The ratio of public
and
private dentists (FTE) per 100,000 population is provided below (Table C), in order to provide the fuller picture of dentist ratios within WA.
Table C: Ratio of
public and private
dentists (FTE) per 100,000 population, health service, 2012*.
North
Metropolitan
Health Service
South Metropolitan
Health Service
WA Country
Health Service
Western
Australia
74.9
53.3
39.8
59.1
Source: WA Dental Health Services, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Dental Association, WA Branch.
* It is assumed that every private dentist registered by the Australian Dental Association is equivalent to 1 FTE.
(2)(a)-(b) Unable to provide comparative data as at March 2013.
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