Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Five leaders of Australian dentistry share their views on the greatest challenges facing the profession in 2026. By Kerryn Ramsey
Professor Julie Satur, Professor of Oral Health, Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne
“Australian dental services are world-class—for those who can afford them. But approximately 50 per cent of the population don’t have access to regular dental care with cost being a major barrier. Too many people are responding to toothaches rather than having regular dental check-ups and preventive care. The prevalence of dental decay is so great that if this was any other disease, people would be outraged at the lack of accessible care.
“Australia has a public dental safety net where only about 10 per cent of the eligible population get in the door each year. Through Medicare, the Commonwealth Government subsidises about 80 per cent of general health services. For oral health, it’s less than 20 per cent.
“The Australian Government needs to increase access to dental care for those who can’t afford it. The ramifications of doing nothing are clear. Poor access means longer waitlists. This means small problems become severe, and extraction rates rise. Neglected oral health has a higher impact on other chronic conditions while oral cancers go undiagnosed leading to increased mortality.
“Clearly, the mouth is part of the body and oral health and dentistry need to be included in Medicare.”
Dr Simon Shanahan, chair, Dental Board of Australia
“Australia faces a range of issues, with perhaps the most evident is compassionate release of superannuation (CRS) for dental treatment. Most media coverage relates to financial harm experienced by patients. However, a sharp rise in CRS approvals for dental procedures has prompted questions about whether some practitioners may be prioritising profit over patient care. While the Board recognises that most dental practitioners act ethically, some concerns about practitioner performance and conduct have been raised.
“In December 2023, the final report on the Independent Review of Health Practitioner Regulatory Settings was published. The review highlighted workforce shortages across multiple health professions, including dentistry. The Board continues to focus on strengthening workforce capacity by ensuring accessible and appropriate registration pathways. We remain committed to streamlining practitioner registration processes.
“When I became chair of the Dental Board of Australia, I reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to cultural safety and anti-racism. We continue to work toward our commitment to the National Scheme’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Statement of Intent.”
Dr Chris Sanzaro, president, Australian Dental Association
“One of the biggest challenges facing Australian dentistry is the tightening margins of dental practices. We know there’s a change in consumer spending habits, but there’s also significant cost increases in equipment, materials compliance and wages growth.
“The solution requires practices run efficiently and there is good understanding between associates, employees and practice ownership. Efficient use of time, staff and materials is essential. It’s also important to maintain membership with organisations like the ADA to ensure support throughout your career—from professional education and peer support to access to compliance resources that are significant time savers.
“Another issue to be considered is technological advances in AI. The advantage is it will help in areas of efficiency and increased costs. At the same time, we have to ensure that AI is working safely and effectively and not compromising patient care. We don’t want practices exposed to legal or regulatory risk by blindly adopting AI.”
Samantha Cheetham CEO and managing director, SDI Ltd
“The dental industry is experiencing growing cost pressures from a range of factors that influence every stage of the supply chain. Tougher regulatory requirements are one of the main challenges, as they add complexity and expense to product development and manufacturing processes. These regulations, while essential for ensuring safety and quality, often require more extensive testing, documentation and approval steps, which in turn increase production timelines and costs. SDI is also affected by tariffs on products we export to the USA. Combined with rising general business expenses, these factors contribute to higher overall production costs.
“In addition to industry-specific challenges, the broader economic environment has created additional uncertainty. Geopolitical issues and macro-economic factors, such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating exchange rates, increase risks for both dental manufacturers and dental practices. Patients are under financial pressure and may elect to postpone essential check-ups and procedures.
“As these pressures continue to build, the financial impact is ultimately passed along the supply chain. Dental practices face higher costs, and these increased expenses are often reflected in the prices patients pay for dental care.”
Dr Greg Miller, chairperson, Australian Dental Foundation
“At the Australian Dental Foundation, we’re witnessing a profound shift in how dentists view their professional journey. We’ve coined the term ‘third way’ to describe not-for-profit dentistry where dentists work with purpose-driven institutions serving at-risk and missed populations. It’s a path distinct from private practice’s commercial focus and public dentistry’s bureaucratic constraints.
“This movement addresses two critical challenges facing dentistry in 2026. New graduates burdened by educational debt and disillusioned by corporate consolidation are seeking meaningful alternatives to purely commercial practice. Second, senior dentists approaching retirement want to transition thoughtfully, contributing their expertise while rediscovering why they entered dentistry.
“The ‘third way’ offers both groups a compelling solution. Young dentists gain diverse clinical experience, developing skills while making genuine impact. Senior practitioners find renewed passion mentoring the next generation and applying decades of expertise, without the administrative burdens of practice ownership.
“Not-for-profit institutions are scaling to meet this demand. The challenge for 2026 is building infrastructure to support this movement. We need funding models that recognise social return on investment and professional recognition that values purpose alongside profit.”
To learn more about working with the Australian Dental Foundation, contact me at greg@dentalfoundation.org.au.
