Overseas-qualified dentists’ experiences and perceptions of the Australian Dental Council assessment and examination process: the importance of support structures

Abstract

Objective The Australian Dental Council is responsible for the assessment of overseas-qualified dentists seeking to practice dentistry in Australia. The aim of this paper is to reflect on the Council’s assessment and examination process through the experiences and perceptions of overseas-qualified dentists in Australia. Methods Qualitative methods were used. Life stories of 49 overseas-qualified dentists from 22 nationalities were analysed to discern significant themes and patterns. We focused on their overall as well as specific experiences of various stages of the examination. The analysis was consistent with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to social scientific research. Results Most participants referred to ‘cost’ of the examination process in terms of lost income, expenses and time. The examination itself was perceived as a tough assessment process. Some participants seemed to recognise the need for a strenuous assessment due to differences in patient management systems in Australia compared with their own country. Significantly, most of the participants stressed the importance of support structures for overseas-qualified dentists involved in or planning to undertake the examination. These considerations about the examination experience were brought together in two themes: (1) ‘a tough stressful examination’; and (2) ‘need for support.’ Conclusion This paper highlights the importance of support structures for overseas-qualified dentists. Appropriate support (improved information on the examination process, direction for preparation and training, further counselling advice) by recognised bodies may prevent potential exploitation of overseas-qualified dentists. Avenues that have been successful in providing necessary support, such as public sector schemes, offer policy options for limited recruitment of overseas-qualified dentists in Areas of Need locations. Such policies should also be in line with the local concerns and do not reduce opportunities for Australian-qualified dentists. What is known about the topic? During the past decade there has been a substantial increase in the number of overseas-qualified dentists migrating to Australia. Currently, one in every four dentists in Australia qualified overseas. It is likely that approximately three-quarter of migrating dentists in a given year enter through the Australian Dental Council’s examination process. To date, there is no published scholarly evidence on the experiences of overseas-qualified dentists involved in the Council’s assessment and examination process. Because more overseas-qualified dentists are being examined by the Council, it is important to reflect on the examination process so as to identify areas for future improvement. What does this paper add? This paper highlights the importance of support structures for overseas-qualified dentists involved in or planning to undertake the Australian Dental Council’s examination process. Appropriate support (improved information on the examination process, direction for preparation and training, further counselling advice) by recognised bodies may prevent potential exploitation of overseas-qualified dentists. What are the implications for practitioners? A possible implication of the findings of this study for dentists migrating to Australia and intending to take the Australian Dental Council’s examination process would be to consider the advantages of the public sector dental schemes that have been brought to light in this study. Policy makers should also be certain that although recruitment of overseas-qualified dentists reduces the gap in service provision in rural areas, it does not constrain opportunities for Australian-qualified graduates.