Queensland dental therapists involved in pay dispute
Dental therapists in Queensland are refusing to carry out some tasks because they claim they are only being paid for certain aspects of their job.
The Queensland Public Sector Union reported that around 500 dental therapists have been affected by the pay dispute, which centres on their job description and pay. Dental therapists claim they are only being paid to carry out certain manual tasks including doing X-rays and minor procedures, when their role actually includes a significant amount of patient care.
Alex Scott, a representative from the Queensland Public Sector Union, said the situation was unacceptable and dental therapists would continue to refuse certain tasks until a satisfactory resolution had been reached. Currently, Mr Scott claims that dental therapists are being grossly overlooked and underestimated by the State Government. Dental therapists undertake a number of tasks, which assist dentists and help to cut waiting lists considerably; without their help and work, waiting lists will certainly increase in size and dentists and other dental professionals will come under increasing amount of pressure.
For now, dental therapists will continue to do X-rays and minor jobs, but will not help out with other areas of patient care. They feel they deserve more recognition and respect from the State Government and are awaiting the comments and results of the inquiry.
The issue has now been put to the Industrial Relations Commission.
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