Sustaining supply of senior academic leadership skills in a shortage environment: a short review of a decade of dental experience

Abstract

For the past decade, and expected for the next decade, Australia faces a significant health workforce shortage and an acute maldistribution of health workforce. Against this background the governments at both national and state level have been increasing the training places for all health practitioners and trying to redress the imbalance through a strong regional focus on these developments. Dentistry has been an active participant in these workforce initiatives. This study examines the increasing demand for academics and discusses the existing pathways for increase, and also examines in detail the advantages of a sustainable, shared-model approach, using dentistry as a model for other disciplines. Three non-exclusive pathways for reform are considered: importation of academics, delayed retirement and the shared resource approach. Of the various solutions outlined in this review a detailed explanation of a cost-effective shared model of senior academic leadership is highlighted as a viable, sustainable model for ameliorating the shortage. What is known about the topic? Little if any peer review literature has examined the academic workforce in oral health in Australia (or overseas). However, the lessons from other disciplines (including medicine) are that there is a growing shortage as the baby boomers move to retirement. What does this paper add? This manuscript provides some perspectives on the growing shortage of dental academics in Australia and examines one sustainable model for ameliorating this effect while Australia makes a fundamental shift in addressing academic workforce needs. What are the implications for practitioners? Academics and universities are facing growing issues with providing skilled, sustainable academic profiles in dentistry. This manuscript starts a dialogue as to options to address this issue into the future.