A review of the 2030 Human Resources for Health Strategy: Implications for dentistry in South Africa

The South African National Department of Health (NDoH) released a report in March 2020: “2030 Human Resources for (HRH) Strategy: Investing the Workforce Universal Coverage”. This report, has implications training dental personnel and planning services Africa(SA). aim was to summarise critique HRH strategic document with reference dentistry. an independent review included recommendations SA. employed two models predict number that will be required; one on achieving provincial equity other improving access Primary Heath Care (PHC) facilities. calculations were based public sector uninsured people first model predicted shortfall 486 dentists, 60 specialists, 13 Dental Technicians (Dent Tech), 162 Therapists (DTs) 104 Oral Hygienists (OHs). second model, PHC utilization, surplus 341 dentists shortage 1128 OHs 1164 DTs. In order meet these shortages, NDoH would have allocate R840 million or 2.3 Billion rands respectively, depending which is chosen. Irrespective utilised, needs create fill more posts, especially provinces low practitioner population ratios. institutions need align graduates demands as set out report.