Dr Thomas questions the disparity in sponsoring overseas dentists between public and private regional dental services. The answer clarifies the legislative framework and the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme's role in addressing workforce shortages in rural areas.

AnsweredQoN 1676Legislative Assembly
Asked
12 December 2006
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Why are public dental services able to employ overseas dentists while private regional dental clinics are unable to sponsor them?
(2) Does the Australian Dental Council’s policy allow public sponsorship of dentists but preclude private sponsorship?
(a) if so, why?
(3) Is there State-based legislation or guidelines that preclude sponsorship of overseas dentists into private practice?
(a) if so, what are they?
(4) Do dentists come into consideration under the regional migration scheme?
(a) if not, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
26 February 2007
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
76 days
(2) Yes. (a) The Australian Health Ministers' Conference approved the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme to help alleviate workforce shortages in the public sector, particularly in rural and remote areas. (3) There is State legislation which precludes some overseas dentists from registering with the Dental Board of Western Australia and therefore meeting Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs requirements. (a) The Dental Act 1939 allows for overseas dentists with primary dental qualifications from any university of the United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand or have passed the examinations of the Australian Dental Council to register with the Dental Board of Western Australia. With registration confirmed, sponsorship can proceed if the person meets the requirements of the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. (4) Yes. The scheme precludes the Perth metropolitan area. Employment must be full time for two years and the dentist must be eligible for full registration. (a) Not applicable.
(a) The Australian Health Ministers' Conference approved the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme to help alleviate workforce shortages in the public sector, particularly in rural and remote areas. (3) There is State legislation which precludes some overseas dentists from registering with the Dental Board of Western Australia and therefore meeting Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs requirements. (a) The Dental Act 1939 allows for overseas dentists with primary dental qualifications from any university of the United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand or have passed the examinations of the Australian Dental Council to register with the Dental Board of Western Australia. With registration confirmed, sponsorship can proceed if the person meets the requirements of the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. (4) Yes. The scheme precludes the Perth metropolitan area. Employment must be full time for two years and the dentist must be eligible for full registration. (a) Not applicable.
(3) There is State legislation which precludes some overseas dentists from registering with the Dental Board of Western Australia and therefore meeting Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs requirements. (a) The Dental Act 1939 allows for overseas dentists with primary dental qualifications from any university of the United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand or have passed the examinations of the Australian Dental Council to register with the Dental Board of Western Australia. With registration confirmed, sponsorship can proceed if the person meets the requirements of the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. (4) Yes. The scheme precludes the Perth metropolitan area. Employment must be full time for two years and the dentist must be eligible for full registration. (a) Not applicable.
(a) The Dental Act 1939 allows for overseas dentists with primary dental qualifications from any university of the United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand or have passed the examinations of the Australian Dental Council to register with the Dental Board of Western Australia. With registration confirmed, sponsorship can proceed if the person meets the requirements of the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. (4) Yes. The scheme precludes the Perth metropolitan area. Employment must be full time for two years and the dentist must be eligible for full registration. (a) Not applicable.
(4) Yes. The scheme precludes the Perth metropolitan area. Employment must be full time for two years and the dentist must be eligible for full registration. (a) Not applicable.
(4) Yes. The scheme precludes the Perth metropolitan area. Employment must be full time for two years and the dentist must be eligible for full registration. (a) Not applicable.
(a) Not applicable.

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