A national human resources plan for oral health: is it feasible?
The South African Department of Health has prepared "A National Human Resources Plan for Health". This plan proposes that the number of dentists produced annually be decreased from 200 to 120, the number of dental therapists increased from 25 to 600 and the number of oral hygienists from 70 to 150.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of this output plan.


METHODS
This paper reviewed the national oral health status and needs, as well as the National Oral Health Strategy, and then assessed the appropriateness of the plan in relation to these findings. The current numbers of students in training and expected production over the next few years was analysed and the feasibility of the proposed production outputs against the current outputs. The current distribution of oral health personnel was also investigated.


RESULTS
Substantial parts of the national oral health needs and strategy can be met and implemented by any of the three oral health professionals being trained. More than 80% of oral health professionals are urban-based and in the private sector. The current production of the five dental training institutions is about 320, compared to the proposed output of almost 900 in the plan. With institutions running at near full capacity, the proposed production numbers are not feasible in the short term. However a number of issues need further investigation: which oral health professional is best suited to meet the oral health needs of the population and implement the national oral health strategy, that will make a significant impact on the oral health of the population; how many oral health professional do we require and will the plan address issues of access to services and appropriateness (evidence-based, prevention bias) of care provided?


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for further investigation of the plan in consultation with all stakeholders, especially its cost implications and alternative strategies to reduce the incidence of oral diseases in the country.
Lalloo
R
R
Rlalloo@medunsa.ac.za
D003727:Dental Auxiliaries / Q000193:education / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003813:Dentistry; D003815:Dentists / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006285:Health Planning; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health; D011313:Preventive Dentistry; D013019:South Africa; D000078329:Workforce