House of Assembly: Tuesday, February 14, 2012

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SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE

37 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (1 June 2010) (First Session). Why were the number of full-time equivalent dental therapists reduced in 2008-09 and how will the government achieve a greater number of school dental service hours in 2009-10?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts): I am advised:

The total number of dental therapists employed by the School Dental Service actually increased from 71.89 in 2007-08 to 73.02 in 2008-09.

The total number of dental therapists employed in the School Dental Service averaged 77.38 FTE in 2009-10. As a result, the School Dental Service achieved and exceeded its target to provide 85,000 hours of clinical service in the full 2009-10 financial year by 19 per cent at 101,136 hours of clinical services by 30 June 2010.