Preparation for practice research commences

The ADC’s commissioned research into oral health practitioner readiness for practice has started strongly. The research team from Monash University, in collaboration with the ADC has established the framework for the project, which will explore how prepared newly registered practitioners are for practice. A key part of the project will compare readiness-to-practise thresholds for graduates trained in Australia and internationally qualified practitioners who successfully complete the ADC examination.

A multidisciplinary steering committee has been formed to oversee the project, bringing together experts from dental stakeholders including:

• the Australasian Council of Dental Schools (ACODS)
• Australian Dental Association (ADA)
• Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA)
• Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA).

The committee also includes Australian and internationally trained newly registered practitioners, as well as First Nations and consumer members.

Committee members met for the first time on 17 August 2026 to discuss the project scope and raised important considerations for the research team to consider during the planning phase.

We anticipate this work will identify opportunities to strengthen oral health education and improve the workforce readiness of newly registered practitioners.