Despite the National Oral
Health
Plan being five years into its eight year plan gaping holes still
remain in how dental care is delivered to Australians.
“Today’s children, particularly in regional areas, have the same limited access to dental care that
children 100 years ago might have experienced. In fact, according to the National Advisory
Committee on Oral Health, the oral health status of Australian adults ranks second worst in the
OECD.” Explained Di Lawson, CEO of the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.
“It is unbelievable, and quite frankly unacceptable for Australians to have lower standards of oral
health than almost any other developed country. All Australians should have access to a quality
healthcare system – and this includes their teeth.” She said.
This month the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council released its 2009
Environmental Scan providing a snapshot of the key issues facing the Community Services and
Health industries in terms of skills shortages and development issues that are impacting the care
levels of every Australian.
Oral health, disability careers and quality Family Day Care services top the list of the most
urgent areas of concern
The Scan provides an analysis of the enormous workforce challenges ahead and steps the
Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council is putting in place to assist the
industries in responding to these challenges.
The 2009 Environmental Scan was developed by the ISC in partnership with a research team
at Sydney University’s Workplace Research Centre headed by Dr John Buchanan
“The number of oral health practitioners falls short of the numbers required to meet current need,
especially in the public sector, rural and remote areas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities. Unless we urgently rethink the reliance of only certain oral health professionals and
occupations being able to perform routine tasks, we face enormous challenges.
“Other primary health care workers, such as community nurses, Aboriginal Health and Torres Strait
Islander Workers and aged care workers to name but a few are more than capable of playing an
active role in the promotion and prevention of oral health.” Di stressed.
The Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council is leading a national oral health workforce
project in 2009/10 to support and enable implementation of new skills to a broader base of health
care practitioners.
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MEDIA RELEASE
FOR INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KATE ENGLER - 0412 526 851
TUESDAY 21 JULY 2009
MICHELLE EUNSON – 0412 189 228
Australia ORAL HEALTH status ranked
SECOND WORST in the OECD
Community Services and Health Industries
face skills crisis in oral health
About the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council
The Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council is the recognised peak national body
providing advice on the training and skills development needs of the community services and health
workforce to government and industry.
The Community Services and Health Industries have grown more than 30% in the last 10 years and
despite being the third largest employer in the country, continue to face skilled staff shortages
even with today’s rising unemployment levels.
There has been significant change in the policy and economic environment on top of our already
ageing population and changing health care service models that continue to increase the size and
demands of these industries.
More information about what the ISC does is available in this link
Spokesperson(s) available for comment or interview:
DI LAWSON
CEO Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council
MARTIN DOOLAND
Executive Director Strategic Services, SA Dental Services
ANDREW MCAULIFFE
Program Director, Oral Health
Department of Health and Families, NT
Media Enquiries
Kate Engler - 0412 526 851
Michelle Eunson - 0412189228
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