Are Dentists in Demand in Australia? A 2024 Guide to the Dental Career Landscape

That Big Career Question: Is Dentistry Still a Secure Bet in Australia?

You’re not the only one who wonders, “Are dentists really needed in Australia? Is it still a smart job choice, or are there too many students for too few jobs?” Maybe you’re a student, a parent, or a dentist thinking about moving—or you’re just curious why people say there’s a “dentist shortage” on the news. Whatever your reason, these questions are real, important, and, honestly, a little confusing. With news saying both good and bad things, it’s tough to know what’s true.

Let’s get rid of the myths and worries and look at the real facts about the need for dentists, what the job market is really like (cities versus country, general dentists versus specialists, new graduates versus experienced dentists), and what the future might look like for dental workers in Australia. As your straight-to-the-point dental guide, I’ll walk you through everything you want to know, without the difficult words or hype. Think of this as your steady guide to help you make sense of your career choices.

In This Article

• The Big Picture: Why People Ask About Dental Demand
• How Many Dentists Does Australia Actually Need?
• Why Are Dentists in Demand (or Not)?
• What’s Happening in Cities Versus Regional Australia?
• The Future: Will There Still Be Jobs in 5–10 Years?
• Is Dentistry Right for You? Pros, Cons, and the Real-World Experience
• What’s Changing? New Trends in Dental Work
• Key Takeaways: What Should You Do Next?

The Big Picture: Why People Ask About Dental Demand

It’s a common story. After years of study and training, you want some job safety. It’s not just about “Will I get hired?”—you want to know, Is there steady work and does it pay well? Can I live where I want? Maybe you’ve heard that some places really need dentists, while other places have too many. Or maybe you’re a dentist from another country wondering if it’s worth moving here and going through the process.

Let’s make it simple:

The need for dentists in Australia is strong and steady overall, but isn’t even everywhere. Some places are screaming out for dental help, while in others, it’s tough to find work. It’s not the same answer for everyone, so let’s break it down to help you see where—and how—you might fit in.

How Many Dentists Does Australia Actually Need? (The Simple Explanation)

Think about the health worker puzzle like a chessboard, but instead of every square being filled neatly, some places have way too many pieces and others have almost none. That’s pretty much the dental workforce across the country.

National Numbers at a Glance

• About 23,600 registered dentists across the country (AHPRA, 2023)
• Good job growth expected: Around 8,300 new jobs expected over five years (2022-2027) (Jobs and Skills Australia)
• Dentist-to-person ratio: In big cities, it’s about 1 dentist per 1,000 people. In some country areas, it goes to 1 per 2,000 or even more.

What Does This Mean?

On paper, it looks good—steady numbers and job growth. But these numbers hide some big differences:

• Cities: Lots of clinics, lots of dentists, but sometimes not enough jobs for every new graduate.
• Country and remote places: Not enough dentists. People wait months or drive hours for dental care.

Think of it as a strange game of musical chairs: In some parts of Sydney or Melbourne, dentists are lined up waiting for every new patient. In small country towns, the patients are waiting for a dentist to even show up.

Why Are Dentists in Demand (or Not)? The Simple Reasons

Every job market has its own reasons why jobs are easy or hard to find. Dentistry in Australia is no different.

1. An Older (and Bigger) Population

• Older Australians keep more of their teeth now, so there’s more fixing, cleaning, and sometimes tricky care.
• As people get older, they have more dental needs. Think illnesses, medicines that dry out the mouth, dentures, and implants.

2. How Easy It Is to See a Dentist

• 25% of Aussies (one in four!) put off seeing a dentist because it’s too expensive.
• Public dental clinics have long waiting lists, especially if you need more than a quick clean.
• But people with private insurance or who can pay out of pocket often get seen easily—unless they live far from a clinic.

3. City Versus Country

• City folks might face tough competition, especially if they’re new. Jobs in big cities can be snapped up quickly, and some areas have too many dentists.
• In country towns, clinics can’t find dentists at all sometimes. There are government help packages, but for many, being far from friends and family is not appealing.
• This problem gets worse every year, and affects people’s health.

4. Rules, Insurance, and the Economy

• When the government gives extra dental help—like for children or rural health—clinics hire more people.
• Health insurance changes also affect demand. More Australians with dental cover means more visits and more jobs.

5. Changing Ideas and Technology

• Demand is up because more people now care about preventative dental care and cosmetic dentistry—think teeth whitening, clear braces, or fancy veneers.
• New technology (from digital X-rays to same-day crowns from a digital dental lab) also changes what patients expect—and what dentists need to do.

What’s Happening in Cities Versus Regional Australia?

If you remember just one thing, remember this: Where you work is everything. It can mean being booked solid, or struggling to find work after you graduate.

The Regional and Remote Reality

Country areas always report not enough dentists. There are lots of reasons:

• Far from friends and family
• Not many job options for your partner
• Longer hours, but more demand and jobs right away
• Government tries to help with moving packages, help on student loans, even housing, but it’s not always enough

What’s the Impact?

• People in country areas face big waits for dental care—sometimes with bad health outcomes.
• For new dentists who try the country, jobs are there, the community respects you, and you can really make a difference.

The City Crunch

Big cities, especially in NSW and VIC, have too many dentists—sometimes not enough work in some suburbs.

• New graduates might start on short-term jobs, shifting between clinics, or not working as much as they’d like while building patient lists.
• There’s still work, but it’s tougher and more competitive. Getting extra skills, knowing other health workers, and using new technology can help you stand out.

State-by-State Snapshot

Quick breakdown:

• NSW and VIC: Full in most metro areas, but country and western areas still need dentists.
• QLD and WA: Mining towns and the far north still looking for people.
• SA, TAS, NT, ACT: Smaller populations, but their country towns need dentists too—not fancy, but needed.

The Future: Will There Still Be Jobs in 5–10 Years? (And What Kind?)

You might be wondering if you’re making the right choice since everything changes so fast. But compared to some “trendy” jobs that could be replaced by robots, dentistry’s future looks good—with a few things to think about.

What Do Projections and Reports Say?

• Australia expects ongoing, solid growth in dental jobs through 2027 (Jobs and Skills Australia).
• Most changes are about “where” and “what kind,” not about dentists not being needed.
• The main gaps: country jobs, some specialties, and new types of dental work for older and more mixed communities.

What’s Changing in the Next Decade

• Population growth: More people, more teeth!
• Older population: More tricky work like dentures, implants, crown and bridge lab jobs.
• Dental tourism and big dental companies: More business-focused clinics.
• High-tech jobs: Digital X-rays, 3D dental lab work, and tele-dentistry are growing.
• Government rules: If dental care gets added to Medicare, demand for dental workers would jump a lot.
• Work changes: People retiring, on leave, or moving creates more openings.

Is Dentistry Right for You? The Good, The Bad, and What It’s Really Like

Leaving out all the fancy sales talk, here’s what makes dentistry a smart (or tough) choice.

Why Dentistry Is Still a Popular Job

• Most new grads get jobs: 85–90% of dental grads get full-time work soon after finishing (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey).
• Good pay: Most dentists earn way more than the average, especially in private clinics.
• Lots of options: You can do general work, special jobs (like braces or kids’ teeth), work for the government, teach, or even help develop new dental tools.
• Mix of science and helping people: You use your hands, mind, and care for people—no two days are the same.

It’s Not All Good News: The Challenges

• City overload: Too many dentists trying to work in some areas.
• High student debt: Dental school is long (and expensive), so new dentists owe a lot.
• Setting up your own clinic: You need good business skills, and opening your first place costs a lot.
• Work-life balance: Private dentists can work long or weird hours when starting out.
• Always learning: Dental tech and best practice keeps changing. If you don’t like learning new stuff, think twice.

Specializing or Not?

• Doing specialty training takes more years and is hard to get into, but can be very rewarding (both in job happiness and money).
• There’s also need for oral health therapists, dental hygienists, and dental technicians—especially for team care in public clinics.

What’s Changing? New Trends and Chances in Australian Dentistry

Dentistry these days isn’t like it was for your grandparents. Here’s what’s new:

The “Digital Age” Is Here

• Digital scanners, same-day dental ceramics lab crowns, and computer tools are everywhere.
• 3D dental lab machines can turn digital images into real dental products in hours, not weeks.
• Tele-dentistry (video calls and advice) became big after COVID and is here to stay, especially in the country.

Preventative and Cosmetic Dentistry Growing

• More patients want to keep their teeth and avoid problems.
• Cosmetic dental work, like simple whitening to veneer and implants, is getting popular. (Think about how a veneer lab makes a new smile, kind of like an artist does.)

Working as a Team

• Dental assistants, hygienists, and therapists do more work than ever.
• Dental clinics where everyone works together help more people and work better.

More International Dentists

• A lot of dentists here trained overseas, helping fill spots—especially outside the big cities.
• But getting registered here is hard, with strict testing and English rules.

Your Simple Takeaway: Key Points and What Next?

Here’s the bottom line about dentist jobs in Australia:

• Overall, dentist jobs are steady and strong, but the best jobs depend on where you work, what type of dentist you are, and where you work.
• Country towns really need you. Cities can be full, but with the right skills, speciality, and a good attitude, new dentists can do well.
• The job market is always moving. New tech, different patients, and changing government rules all affect dentist work.
• Good dentists are flexible and keen to learn. If you’ll move, keep learning, and care about people, you will find your place.

What You Can Do

• Thinking about studying dentistry?

Look into what you need to get in, the costs, and placement options at uni. Where you’re willing to live can be just as important as what you know.

• Are You A New Graduate?

Don’t worry if city jobs are hard to get at first. Try contract or country jobs to build experience. It’s just the start!

• Already a Dentist?

Keep up with new trends. Learn about digital dentistry, cosmetic care, or work with teams.

• Overseas Dentists Wanting To Work Here?

Check what training you need, talk to the Australian Dental Council, and see which areas need you the most.

• Just Curious?

Dental care matters. Supporting better government policy for affordable care and more dentists in the country helps everyone.

Quick FAQ

Are there enough dental jobs in Australia?

Yes—especially in country areas or some special jobs. But be open to moving and learning new things.

Is dentistry still a good job after COVID?

Totally. Dentistry changed a bit, but is still needed and safe.

What about dental specialists?

Good demand, especially for braces, tooth replacement, and oral surgery, but takes extra training.

Will robots take over dentist jobs?

Nope. Digital dentistry might change how you work, but won’t replace the need for real people with skills.

Final Word: A Good Job with the Right Attitude

Becoming a dentist is a big decision—but for many, it’s a great one. You help people eat, talk, and smile better. Things are always changing, but if you’re willing to learn and adapt, you’ll find plenty of chances to succeed.

Whether you’re a student, parent, dentist, or just interested, I hope this guide helps you feel more confident about your choices. Australia does need dentists—but even more, it needs kind, open-minded people ready to help everyone, everywhere.

Interested in learning how digital tools and new labs are changing dentistry? Discover more about digital dental lab tech and how it shapes modern dental practice. If you want to know about crowns or bridges, see how a crown and bridge lab supports better patient care.

Note: All stats are up to date for 2023–2024 and come from trusted sources like the Australian Dental Association, AHPRA, Jobs and Skills Australia, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Always check with a dentist or expert for advice that suits you.