Hours worked and patient visits provided by dentists in Australia

Abstract

Objectives

To examine numbers of hours worked and patient visits provided by age and sex of dentist in Australia, and compare with previous estimates to describe trends.

Methods

Data were collected by mailed survey from a random sample (n=2,961) of Australian dentists. Private sector dentists working in clinical practise were included in the analysis. Data were weighted to the age and sex distribution of Australian practising dentists.

Results

The adjusted response rate was 49% (n=1,345 dentists). Hours per year worked and number of patient visits per year were lower for dentists aged 65+ years than younger dentists, and were higher for male compared with female dentists aged 35-45 to 55-64 years. Hours per year worked were lower in 2013-14 than reported in 2009-10, but the number of patient visits in 2013-14 was similar to the previously reported estimate from 2009-10.

Conclusions

Hours worked and visits provided were only lower among older dentists aged 65 years or more. Male dentists tend to work more hours per year and provide more patient visits per year than female dentists. Over the last decade, Australian dentists maintained a stable output of visits per year despite a trend towards fewer hours worked per year.

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