Abstract

VEDAN, Theesan A  and  KOTSANE, Daisy Fidelis. 'Dentistry: Not a Critical Skill?'. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2016, vol.71, n.5, pp.206-211. ISSN 0375-1562.

INTRODUCTION: Dentistry has not been allocated 'Critical Skills' status in South Africa after the repeal of the previous 'Exceptional Skills' permit, thus making it impossible for a foreign-born dentist to obtain a temporary or permanent work permit on the basis of his/her qualification alone. AIM: To determine and discuss, on a need basis, whether Dentistry should be classified as a critical skill. OBJECTIVES: 1) Compare the current SA ratio of one dentist per 10,000 population with WHO recommendations. 2) Obtain the ideal health care worker: population ratio for other health care fields listed as Critical/Scarce skills 3) Determine whether Dentistry meets the parameters of a 'Critical Skill'.. DESIGN: a descriptive study, with aggregated data. METHODS: Data was collected from: 1) Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA):, 2)The WHO country data on health workers, 3) Health Systems Trust (HST), 4) Analysis of various 'Scarce Skill Lists.' RESULTS: There is a comparative shortage of dentists, and the percentage increase required to achieve WHO recommendations is greater than for other professions already classified as 'Critical Skills.' CONCLUSIONS: There needs to be a more scientific, evidence-based approach to classifying professions as Scarce Skills. In light of the evidence Dentistry should be considered as a Critical Skill.

Keywords : dentists in South Africa; scarce skills; residency dentists South Africa.

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