The Commonwealth as a custodian of dental migratory ethics: views of senior oral health leaders from India and Australia

Abstract

Objective: The Commonwealth of Nations is a unique congregation of 53 countries providing a platform for realistic collaboration on several social and health care issues. Ethical migration of health professionals from developing to developed countries is a key priority of the Commonwealth and several ethical codes have been put into practice. However, these codes have been mainly developed in regard to the medical workforce (physicians and nurses), and can have some limitations when applied to the dental profession. The aim of this study was to understand the role of the Commonwealth in influencing ethical migration of dentists from developing to developed countries, by examining the case of Indian-trained dentists migrating to Australia. Methods: The research design involved interviewing key health care or oral health leaders in India and Australia. A semi-structured interview process was designed. Grounded theory techniques were used in data collection and analysis. Findings: Both the Indian and Australian participants expressed serious doubts on the Commonwealth or any of its Associations in influencing ethical migration of Indian trained dentists to Australia. Three reasons emerged: indifferent priorities, lack of funds and the rise of other international organisations. Bilateral cooperation between concerned countries was considered as a feasible alternative. Conclusion: The role of the Commonwealth as a custodian of dental migratory ethics is limited. Further research is required as to how bilateral cooperation between India and Australia could be improved. There is also an urgent need for targeted funding allocations in oral health, especially in the form of international aid for research and development both in India and Australia.