Executive Summary

Dental hygienists (DHs), Dental therapists (DTs), and Oral health therapists (OHTs) are registered dental practitioners. In 2023 there were 5,405 registered Oral health practitioners (OHPs) in Australia. This report aimed to report the current demographic, geographic and employment characteristics of OHPs in Australia.

The Australian Oral Health Workforce Cohort Study is a longitudinal cohort study following up OHPs over time. The first wave of data collection occurred in 2023 and subsequent waves planned biennially. This study builds upon The Oral Health Professions Workforce Survey 2020 was a cross-sectional study of DH, DT and OHTs.

Respondents were asked a series of demographic and employment characteristic questions and 431 individuals participated. Responses were weighted to the Ahpra population to report results representative of the national work. The majority of OHPs were 40 years or younger (60.9%) and female (91.4%).

• 58% of all OHPs held one job only.
• Over half (57%) of OHPs primary place of employment was in the private sector. Public sector was the primary sector of employment for 20%.
• DHs predominantly worked permanent part time (42%). DTs predominantly work in permanent full time (28%) and permanent part time (28%).
• DT and DHs median weekly hours worked were 30 hours, whereas OHTs median weekly hours worked were 37 hours.
• The median annual full-time equivalent (FTE) income was $103,941 for those working in the private sector. The median FTE income for those in public sector and Research, education and management were $93,000 and $121,600 respectively.
• As age and years of practice increased, the median FTE annual income reported also increased.
• The majority of OHPs were receiving superannuation (92%), had no other additional employment benefits (51%) and did not report working unpaid overtime (57.8%).
• There are approximately 20.7 OHPs per 100,000 residents nationwide.
• Major Cities have higher rates of practitioner per population for DH and OHTs. the rate of DTs per population in Outer Regional and further remote areas is twice the rate in Major Cities.
• Half of current working practitioners expect to retire in 19 years.
• Just over half of OHPs had no intention to change their career in the next six-months.

The employment profile for OHPs were indicative of a stable and utilised workforce. The characteristics of respondents’ principal place of employment were telling of the historical context to the occupations. DH’s were primarily employed in the private sector, where as DTs in public settings and OHTs across all sectors. The aging DT workforce approaches retirement and poses a potential issue for areas which they predominantly work such as the public sector and regional and remote areas.