Policy Statement 2.7.1. - Delivery of Oral Health Care in Community Dental Clinics and Dental Hospitals

Position Summary

Community dental clinics and dental hospitals play an integral role in the provision of oral health care to eligible populations. Collaboration with private hospitals and private dental clinics to provide timely and 
appropriate care to patients and contribute to the education of all the dental team. 

2. Position

Health policy planners must recognise that the provision of oral health care is an integral part of comprehensive care to patients and plan for inclusion of Community Dental Clinics and Dental Hospitals into primary health care models. 
Community dental clinics and dental hospitals should contribute to the education of dental students, dentists, dental specialists, allied dental personnel and other health professionals. 
The staffing of a community dental clinic or hospital should be appropriate to the demands of the procedures that are being provided. 
Dental hospitals, community dental clinics, hospital dental units, education providers and private dental clinics should all collaborate to provide timely, and appropriate oral health care and education to patients. 

3. Background 

Community dental clinics and dental hospitals have long played a role in the delivery of  dental services such as after-hours emergency services and comprehensive oral health care to persons eligible for public oral health care in Australia. 
Community dental clinics and dental hospitals have also become providers of Specialist Dentist services and contribute to the education of Dentists and Allied Dental Personnel. 
Changing population demographics and attitudes increase the demand for dental services provided by community dental clinics and dental hospitals. 
Constrained public funding and increasing demand for public oral health care among eligible populations have meant that private hospitals and dental clinics play an important complementary role in supporting public oral health services.

4. Definition 

COMMUNITY DENTAL CLINIC is a publicly funded dental facility providing at least emergency and general dental services.  
A DENTIST is an appropriately qualified dental practitioner, registered by the Board to practise all areas of dentistry.   
A SPECIALIST DENTIST or SPECIALIST is one who practises a recognised speciality, possesses a higher qualification relevant to this area of dentistry, and has been so registered. 
DENTAL HOSPITAL is a publicly funded health facility providing comprehensive oral health services.  
ALLIED DENTAL PERSONNEL are those, other than dentists, working in the provision of dental services. 

5. Last review 

February 2026 

6. Next review due 

February 2031