❓ Hon Wilson Tucker asks about staffing levels in the School Dental Service (SDS), particularly in Port Hedland, and the recruitment strategy. The Minister's response details FTE numbers, vacancies, and strategies to address shortages, including locums and deployment from Perth.
AnsweredQoN 652Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DENTAL HEALTH SERVICES — STAFF
652. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the WA government's
school dental service.
(1) How many
dental practitioners are employed across the SDS, and how many positions are
vacant or unfilled?
(2) How many
dental practitioners are employed in the SDS in the town of Port Hedland, and
how many positions are vacant or unfilled?
(3) What is the current recruitment
strategy?
652. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the WA government's
school dental service.
(1) How many
dental practitioners are employed across the SDS, and how many positions are
vacant or unfilled?
(2) How many
dental practitioners are employed in the SDS in the town of Port Hedland, and
how many positions are vacant or unfilled?
(3) What is the current recruitment
strategy?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following has been provided by the Minister
for Health.
(1)–(3) Dental
Health Services has been actively recruiting new clinical staff. If required,
locum dental officers are being utilised to address vacancies. In addition,
Perth-based Dental Health Services dental officers and therapists are deployed
from their existing clinics to provide short-term care in country locations,
including Port Hedland.
As
of 30 April 2024, 140 FTE dental officers and dental therapists are employed in
the SDS, with 38.9 FTE dental therapist vacancies and one FTE dental
officer vacancy. A locum dental officer is providing dental services to the eligible Port Hedland community,
including school dental services, and one dental therapist position is
vacant in Port Hedland.
some notice of the question. The following has been provided by the Minister
for Health.
(1)–(3) Dental
Health Services has been actively recruiting new clinical staff. If required,
locum dental officers are being utilised to address vacancies. In addition,
Perth-based Dental Health Services dental officers and therapists are deployed
from their existing clinics to provide short-term care in country locations,
including Port Hedland.
As
of 30 April 2024, 140 FTE dental officers and dental therapists are employed in
the SDS, with 38.9 FTE dental therapist vacancies and one FTE dental
officer vacancy. A locum dental officer is providing dental services to the eligible Port Hedland community,
including school dental services, and one dental therapist position is
vacant in Port Hedland.
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