Page 23 - The Dental Workforce in Malaysia

Introduction | 5

and using the internet to seek health information has become a global
trend (Eysenbach and Jadad, 2001, Chestnutt and Reynolds, 2006, Baker
et al., 2003), putting pressure on services (Matthew, 1973). However,
not everyone has access to the internet. Furthermore, technology will
improve the quality of training in schools for the benefit of patients (Eaton
et al., 2008). Advances in science and technology might have improved
treatment efficiency in dentistry (Gallagher and Wilson, 2009, Eaton et
al., 2008); such as implant and veneer for aesthetic reasons. Fluoridation
has also improved the rate of dental caries in many countries (Chikte et
al., 2000) and a recent innovation is the introduction of a vaccine against
dental caries (Taubman and Nash, 2006), which might reduce the level of
the dental care demand. The current model of care also has the potential
to become outdated as new technology emerges (HEE, 2015); however,
a social concern appears with the level of compassion that the workforce
must provide the best of care to the patients.
Nowadays, society in most high-income countries is characterised
by individualism, consumerism, and possessing their own philosophy of
learning and rules based on their previous experience (Clarke, 2003). They
have a better understanding of health awareness and are well-informed
about the health services, although not always accurately (Gallagher
and Wilson, 2009). This has led patients and the general public to place
greater demands on health professionals (Glick et al., 2012, Wilson,
2003, Chestnutt and Reynolds, 2006) such as aesthetic and orthodontic
treatments, and this is something that professionals must acknowledge
and respond to.
In summary, the findings suggest that there are significant levels of
oral diseases, albeit a decrease in dental caries cases. Furthermore, the
Malaysian population is growing and ageing demanding a longer length
of treatment time and more complex dental care.

The dental workforce in Malaysia

The current dental workforce in Malaysia comprises dental health
professionals, namely general dentists and specialists, and dental
auxiliaries. The dental auxiliaries, known as Dental Care Professionals
(DCPs) in the United Kingdom (UK), consist of dental therapists, dental