Concerns have been raised over a controversial new proposal to allow foreign-trained dentists to register in Australia without passing the standard clinical examination.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) plan aims to increase the number of dentists nationwide by fast-tracking registration for those trained overseas, and a draft standard has been issued for public consultation.
Under the proposal eligible foreign dentists will be assessed on references, interviews, practice hour documentation and written reflections, rather than having to pass a practical skills test, but “must still meet the standard needed to practise in Australia”, AHPRA stated.
But the Australian Dental Association (ADA) fears allowing overseas-trained dentists to skip the Australian Dental Council’s clinical examination, which includes a written online exam and a practical exam, will lower safety standards, The Australian reported.
ADA president and Launceston dentist Dr Chris Sanzaro said the ADC examination was “tried and tested” and not an overly expensive or difficult pathway, and warned the AHPRA plan would not increase access to dental care in rural and regional areas.
“We think the proposal risks lowering safeguards and undermines the rigorous standards that protect patient safety and public confidence in the dental profession,” Dr Sanzaro said.
“There’s some unusual loopholes in there that would allow people who’ve qualified in different areas that wouldn’t meet Australian standards to then work for up to five years in an area that does.
“And by assumption, therefore, if they’ve got five years worth of experience, therefore they must be a safe practitioner, which does nothing to assess their basic qualifications or skills.”
Dr Sanzaro said that an influx of immigrant dentists wouldn’t solve the current staffing problems where some capital city-based ADA members were struggling financially due to a lack of demand while there was a “serious undersupply” in other areas.
“We know there’s a maldistribution issue, and increasing the supply of dentists from overseas isn’t going to address that. It’s just going to make it worse,” he said.
Dr Sanzaro said increasing renumeration for public sector dentists, and giving dental schools and rural healthcare more funding would be more effective than fast-tracking foreign-trained healthcare professionals.
AHPRA’s draft registration standard also applies to radiologists, occupational therapists and podiatrists.
Header image credit: Andrea Piacquadio (Pexels).
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