The Australian Dental Association (ADA) has released a document outlining the reasons why Australia may have an impending oversupply of dentists. It is expected that in Australia in 2013, approximately 580 new dentists will graduate, with a further 200 overseas trained dentists entering the workforce. The ADA is calling for the removal of dentistry from the Skilled Occupation List, thereby making it difficult for overseas trained dentists to enter the country to work. The ADA is also looking to impose an annual cap of 460 new dentists being trained in Australia each year.

The ADA put the numbers into perspective, saying that in the decade up to 2006, around 250 new dentists entered the workforce annually. The number of dentists registered in Australia has increased by 27% from 2009 to August 2012.

Since 2012 My Health Career has followed the employment rate of dentists closely. Click on our free guide to becoming a dentist for more detailed information.