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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Addressing the oral health workforce needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
Christopher J Bourke1, Andrew McAuliffe2, Lisa M Jamieson3
1Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, Deakin West, ACT, Australia. Email: AMcAuliffe@ahha.asn.au; and Corresponding author.
Abstract:
Tooth decay and gum disease, the main dental diseases affecting Australians, can cause pain and deformity as well as affecting eating and speech. Dental practitioners are efficient and effective in relieving dental pain, and they can effectively restore oral function. There is good evidence that better health care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients are associated with care from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals. Unfortunately, the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the dental practitioner workforce is very low. We argue that a strategic approach, along with additional investment, is needed to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people qualified as dental practitioners.
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