Survey of Australian and New Zealand oral and maxillofacial surgery trainees and recent specialist - workforce issues

Abstract

This study examined Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS) workforce issues in relation to current training in Australia and New Zealand. Earlier findings identified that there was a requirement of approximately 6 additional OMS specialists per year in Australia and one per year in New Zealand to maintain an adequate level of supply in the profession. It was found in this study that through to the early part of the next decade the number of OMS entering the Australian workforce is appropriate (5.9 per annum), but there would appear to be concerns about the sufficiency of the number entering the New Zealand workforce (0.7 per annum). In addition, the study also found possible maldistribution in the location of intended future practices, with possible shortages outside of the metropolitan areas.