The job role of a dentist in Australia comes with many perks that make it a very rewarding career. Australia welcomes both its own graduates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs), to benefit from a career in dentistry. The path to becoming a dentist is clear for Australians and overseas-trained dentists, which provides equal opportunity for everyone.

If you want to get a clear idea of this, here is a guide to working as a dentist in Australia.

Benefits of Working as a Dentist in Australia

Working as a dentist in Australia could be the best choice you make in relocation, especially if you’re an IMG. Even for Australians, there’s so much that a career in dentistry offer, that you wouldn’t want to miss it for anything.

Here’s what you gain when you become a dentist in Australia.

·        High earning potential.

·        Be independent in your career.

·        Freedom and flexibility to work according to your schedule.

·        Help people in achieving better oral health by maintaining dental hygiene.

·        A range of specializing options to choose from.

How to Become a Dentist in Australia

The pathway to becoming a dentist is quite straightforward. The Dental Board of Australia requires you to be qualified to practice as a dentist. Read on to find out how to become a dentist in Australia.

The Process for Australian Graduates

If you’re an Australian graduate, here’s what you need to have to practice dentistry.

·        Complete a university degree in dentistry.

·        Register with the Dental Board of Australia.

·        Annually renew registration with the Dental Board of Australia to continue practising as a dentist.

·        Follow a dental specialty through postgraduate studies.

The Process for IMGs

If you’re a foreign graduate with a degree in dentistry from an international university, you can also work as a dental practitioner in Australia. Here’s what you have to do.

·        Following are the pathways available for registration for dentists with foreign qualifications.

1. Dentists who are registered to practise in New Zealand.
2. Dentists with approved bachelor's degrees from the UK, Ireland, and Canada.
3. Dentists with other qualifications must satisfy the following:
   a. Complete an Australian-approved program of study; or
   b. Go through the examination process conducted by the Australian Dental Council (ADC).  

Approved university degrees from the countries specified above, can be checked on the website of the Dental Board of Australia.

Thereafter, IMGs need to follow the usual procedure as an Australian graduate would do, which is as follows:

·        Register with the Dental Board of Australia.

·        Annually renew registration with the Dental Board of Australia to continue practising as a dentist.

·        Follow a dental specialty through postgraduate studies.

Dentist Jobs in Australia

There are many dentist specialities to select from which makes this job more exciting. There are thirteen dental specialities in Australia, which are approved by the Australian Health Workforce Ministerial Council. These dental specialities are as follows.

·        Paediatric dentistry

·        Oral pathology

·        Oral surgery

·        Oral medicine

·        Orthodontics

·        Periodontics

·        Endodontic

·        Prosthodontics

·        Dento-maxillofacial radiology

·        Maxillofacial surgery

·        Forensic odontology

·        Special needs dentistry

·        Community dentistry

Read the article “Dental Specialties in Australia” for more information.

Salary of a Dentist in Australia

Dentists can earn very high salaries while practising in Australia. Their pay rates are high compared to many other professions, making it a very attractive and popular career choice. Here is an idea of how much you can earn working as a dentist in Australia.

·        The average annual salary of a dentist in Australia is $134, 208.

·        The highest paying state for dentists in New South Wales.

·        Here are the average annual salaries of selected dental professions:

o   Orthodontist: $198,334

o   Dental surgeon: $158,128

o   Dentist: $134,208

o   Chief Dental Officer: $129,125

o   Periodontist: $123,347  

Source: https://au.indeed.com/career/dentist/salaries

Read the article “How Much Does a Dentist Earn in Australia?” to find out more about dentist salaries and pay rates.

The job role of a Dentist

What does a dentist do? Here are the job responsibilities of a dental practitioner.

·        Conduct oral screenings to identify and treat dental issues, diseases, and infections.

·        Promote good oral health among patients.

·        Examine patients’ medical records and prepare for various treatments.

·        Apply prosthetics such as dentures and crowns.

·        Remove plaque and tooth decay.

·        Conduct dental extractions and root canal procedures.

·        Replace dental cavities with fillings.

·        Perform oral surgeries as required.

·        Prescribe medication as required.

·        Educate patients on the correct procedure to brush and floss.

·        Schedule regular dental check-ups with patients to maintain good oral health.

Skills a Dentist Needs to Have

Apart from the educational and professional qualifications, a dentist also needs to have specific skills that let him succeed in his dental career. Let’s look at what these necessary skills are.

·        Good interpersonal skills

·        Communicational skills

·        Good leadership skills

·        Compassion

·        Empathy

·        Technical skills

·        Great teamwork skills

·        Ability to multitask

·        Problem-solving skills

·        Business skills

Why Work as a Dentist in Australia

Apart from the benefits stated above, there are many reasons why you should work as a dentist in Australia. Here are a few of them.

·        Australia has a thriving economy.

·        The country provides various visa options for medical and dental professionals.

·        High quality of life.

·        Pension benefits.

·        A safe environment to live and work.

·        Increased opportunity to continue further studies while practising.

·        Close-knit communities, especially in rural areas.

·        A broader scope of work.

·        A quiet lifestyle, especially in remote areas.

Dental Industry Insights

Here are some statistics on the dental industry in Australia:

·        Market size: $11 billion

·        Total number of businesses: 19,365

·        Total number of employers in the industry: 56, 177

·        The number of registered dentists in Australia is over 18,000

Below is an overview and forecast of the dental industry in Australia.

·        Advances in technology continue to play a key role in the dental industry.

·        There is a definitive skills shortage, especially in rural and remote areas.

·        There is a growing trend in recruiting dental specialists in the country, both Australian and overseas-trained graduates.

There is an opportunity for more growth in the dental industry in Australia. This trend is predicted to grow in the five years to come, which is more reasons for you to work as a dentist in Australia.

Australia is definitely one of the best places to work as a dental practitioner, to balance your professional life with your personal life and enjoy high-quality life.

Conclusion

Medfuture is constantly updated on the latest jobs available in the medical field including dentistry. We provide the best opportunities for qualified candidates who aspire to lead a successful career in Australia. We provide job opportunities for all dental specialities in the country.

Visit our website for the latest dental and allied health jobs in Australia.

Here are some related articles to read:

·        How to Become a Registered Dentist in Australia?

·        Rising Demand for Dental Services in Australia

·        How can an international student become a dentist in Australia?