IADR Abstract Archives
The Life Story Experience of Migrant Dentists in Australia
Objectives: Australia is a popular destination for ‘migrant dentists.’ Dentists from over 120 countries migrate to Australia, and it is estimated that one in four of every practising dentist is trained from an overseas institution. The aim of the study was to assess the life story experience of migrant dentists in Australia, so as to address key policy challenges facing dentist migration.
Methods: A national survey of all migrant dentists resident in Australia was conducted in 2013. Migrant experiences were assessed through a suite of life story experience (LSE) scales, developed through a qualitative-quantitative study.
Results: A total of 1022 migrant dentists responded to the survey (response rate=54.5%). LSE1 (health system and general lifestyle concerns in home country), LSE2 (appreciation towards Australian way of life) and LSE3 (settlement concerns in Australia) scales varied by migrant dentist groups, gender, and years since arrival to Australia (Chi-square, p<0.05). In a logistic regression model, migrant dentists from developing countries had a higher odds ratio for LSE1 (9.32; 3.51-24.72) and LSE3 (5.39; 3.51-8.28), and a lower odds ratio for LSE2 (0.66; 0.46-0.96), compared to migrants from well-developed countries. Migrants also seem more appreciative towards the Australian way of life if they had lived at least ten years in Australia (1.97; 1.27-3.05), compared to migrants who have lived for less than ten years.
Conclusions: Migrant dentists from developing countries face challenges both in their home and in Australia. Migrants appear to be let down by home country systems and have reported shortcomings in the structure, organization and delivery of dental services. The study offers evidence for a workforce governance approach and calls for consensus towards an international agenda to address dentist migration. The global strategy should assist both developing and well-developed countries understand the dentist migration problem, and support workforce planning and migration policy.
Methods: A national survey of all migrant dentists resident in Australia was conducted in 2013. Migrant experiences were assessed through a suite of life story experience (LSE) scales, developed through a qualitative-quantitative study.
Results: A total of 1022 migrant dentists responded to the survey (response rate=54.5%). LSE1 (health system and general lifestyle concerns in home country), LSE2 (appreciation towards Australian way of life) and LSE3 (settlement concerns in Australia) scales varied by migrant dentist groups, gender, and years since arrival to Australia (Chi-square, p<0.05). In a logistic regression model, migrant dentists from developing countries had a higher odds ratio for LSE1 (9.32; 3.51-24.72) and LSE3 (5.39; 3.51-8.28), and a lower odds ratio for LSE2 (0.66; 0.46-0.96), compared to migrants from well-developed countries. Migrants also seem more appreciative towards the Australian way of life if they had lived at least ten years in Australia (1.97; 1.27-3.05), compared to migrants who have lived for less than ten years.
Conclusions: Migrant dentists from developing countries face challenges both in their home and in Australia. Migrants appear to be let down by home country systems and have reported shortcomings in the structure, organization and delivery of dental services. The study offers evidence for a workforce governance approach and calls for consensus towards an international agenda to address dentist migration. The global strategy should assist both developing and well-developed countries understand the dentist migration problem, and support workforce planning and migration policy.