Oral Health Service and Labour Force Research

Too little research has been conducted on what works and why in the effective and efficient delivery of dental services. The particular focus in this research will be on public dental care program evaluation, private dental insurance, dental provider behaviour and dental labour force analyses.

National Dental Telephone Interview Survey and associated activities

NDTIS is a computer-assisted telephone survey of a random sample of the Australian population 5 years and over. The purpose of NDTIS is to collect basic features of oral health and dental care within the Australian population, provide information on the broader parameters of dental health and access to services, monitor the extent of social inequalities within the dental sector, and investigate the underlying reasons behind dental behaviours, and the consequences of these behaviours.

National Dental Labour Force Data Collections

National labour force statistics for registered dental practitioners, dental therapists, dental hygienists and dental prosthetists are collected annually. The data collected is part of a national data set agreed by the Australian Health Minister’s Advisory Council to facilitate appropriate health planning and administration.

The Longitudinal Study of Dentists’ Practice Activity

The Longitudinal Study of Dentists’ Practice Activity has collected information on dentists, practices, and services from a random sample of 10% of male dentists and 40% of female dentists in each State/Territory of Australia at five‑year-intervals since 1983-84.
Sample supplementation at each follow-up wave has added a sample of dentists from among those who were new to the dental registers since the previous wave of the study. This maintains the longitudinal component of the sample while providing representative cross-sectional estimates.
Data have been collected in 1983–84, 1988–89, 1993–94, 1998–99 and 2003–04.

Analyses have focused on patterns and trends in productivity of dentists and service provision.

Productivity analyses of private dental services in Australia

This study aims to provide an econometric model for the dental health care sector in Australia with a particular focus on efficiency in the production of services over the period 1983/84 to 1998/99.

The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Workforce Study

Principle Investigators: Spencer AJ, Brennan DS, Thomson WM. Supported: Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (2000)

Hospitals Contribution Fund (HCF) Dental Satisfaction Survey 2005

This project aims to measure and compare dental satisfaction among HCF members who last visited an HCF Dental Centre with members who last visited private dental practices. A comparison of the current level of satisfaction among HCF members to that observed in the first three waves of the survey in 2001, 2002 and 2004 will also be made.

The impact of declining tooth loss on oral health status and dental care utilisation (NHMRC)

This project addresses the consequences of improved oral health in the form of greater retention of natural teeth among middle-aged Australians, with the research hypothesis being that increased retention of natural dentitions will result in higher absolute levels of oral disease and utilization of dental services by those who retain more natural teeth as they age.

Risk Assessment and Oral Health Outcomes of a Child Dental Service (NHMRC; Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation)

A Relative Needs Index – theoretical model validation and implementation (SADS and Division of Health Sciences Postgraduate Scholarship)

This is the second stage of a two stage study testing the validity of the theoretical RNI models previously developed by ARCPOH, on a new sample population.

Public dental service utilisation in South Australia (NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship)

The purpose of this project is to develop an understanding of public sector dental service utilisation in South Australia in particular among people attending dental services for emergency dental care.This is the second stage of a two stage study testing the validity of the theoretical RNI models previously developed by ARCPOH, on a new sample population.

SA Dental Service Aged Care Project

The aims of this project are to evaluate the impact of a program in which dental care needs of people aged 75+ years are assessed by medical personnel of the integrated oral health items within the Enhanced Primary Care Assessment. People identified through screening are referred for general dental care at the SA Dental Service’s Somerton Park Dental Centre. ARCPOH is evaluating the screening program and impact of dental treatment on oral health and general health.

The project is targeted towards the community-dwelling elderly population living within Adelaide’s Southern Division of General Practice. Their oral health was screened as part of the Enhanced Primary Care Assessment program, and those eligible for public dental care are offered an appointment at the Somerton Park Dental Complex without the usual 2–3 waiting period.

Development of treatment choice factors over time (ADRF)

The design of this project involves a longitudinal follow-up of a cohort of dentists who were sampled in 1997–98. Dentists will be surveyed using a mailed self-complete questionnaire to assess treatment choice factors and record basic descriptive data on the dentist and practice. The aims of the project are to describe the factors influencing choice of treatment in general dental practice, and compare treatment choice factors recorded in 1997–98 to assess changes over time.

Job satisfaction survey of the oral health labour force in Australia (ADRF)

This project aims to measure job satisfaction among clinical dentists in Australia so as to identify issues that may influence recruitment and retention of dentists in active clinical practice.

Evaluating profile changes in 1st year BDS students, Adelaide Dental School, over 10-year period

Specifically looking at influences of career choice, motivating factors and determining similarities/differences of these factors with BDS/BOH undergraduates.

Study of private subsidisation of dental care in Australia (SOPS) (ADRF)

SOPS is an ADRF funded project which aims to investigate the proportion of patients who receive privately subsidized care (also known as pro bono publico or unreimbursed care) and the value of that care. The data will be collected by mailed questionnaire from private general dentists and will include information on dentist, practice and patient factors thought to influence the provision of private dental subsidy.

Acquisition of treatment choice knowledge among dental undergraduates (ADRF)

This study measures factors associated with choice of treatment among undergraduates in order to compare timing of treatment choice knowledge with dentists.