Australian oral health workforce

Dental hygienists (DHs), Dental therapists (DTs), and Oral health therapists (OHTs) are registered dental practitioners. This report aimed to investigate the current demographic, geographic and employment characteristics of DH, DT and OHTs in Australia. 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 619 individuals participated. The employment profile for DH, DT and OHTs 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 OHT and DTs in public settings.