The number of dentists in remote and very remote areas has ‘increased markedly’ in recent years, according to a new report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The Dental workforce 2011 report shows that the number of dentists grew by 49 per cent between 2006 and 2011 in remote and very remote areas. The report also confirms that the number of dentists across Australia generally is up 22 per cent over the same period.

“Despite having the smallest growth at 19%, Major cities continue to have more dentists per capita than other areas in 2011, with 64.1 full-time equivalent (FTE) dentists per 100,000 population,” said AIHW spokesperson Teresa Dickinson.

The report also shows that there were around 18,800 dental practitioners in Australia in 2011, including 1,145 dental prosthetists, 1,206 dental hygienists, 1,165 dental therapists and 1,108 oral health therapists.

“In 2011, there were around 12,700 employed dentists in Australia, with around 80% working in the private sector,” Ms Dickinson said.

The full report can be found here