Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, Deakin West, ACT, Australia. Email:
Adelaide Dental School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia. Email:
Aust Health Rev. 2021 Aug;45(4):407-410. doi: 10.1071/AH20295.
Tooth decay and gum disease, the main dental diseases affecting Australians, can cause pain and deformity as well as affecting eating and speech. Dental practitioners are efficient and effective in relieving dental pain, and they can effectively restore oral function. There is good evidence that better health care outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients are associated with care from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals. Unfortunately, the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the dental practitioner workforce is very low. We argue that a strategic approach, along with additional investment, is needed to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people qualified as dental practitioners.
龋齿和牙周病是影响澳大利亚人的主要牙科疾病，它们不仅会引起疼痛和畸形，还会影响进食和言语。牙医在缓解牙痛方面非常高效和有效，他们可以有效地恢复口腔功能。有充分的证据表明，土著和托雷斯海峡岛民患者获得更好的医疗保健结果与接受土著和托雷斯海峡岛民卫生专业人员的护理有关。不幸的是，在牙医劳动力中，土著和托雷斯海峡岛民的代表性非常低。我们认为，需要采取战略方法并增加投资，以增加有资格成为牙医的土著和托雷斯海峡岛民人数。
