Inquiry into the sourcing and supply of dental prostheses and appliances to Australian dental practitioners from overseas

That the Standing Committee on Health, Ageing, Community and Social Services inquire into and report on the following matter:

• The sourcing of dental prostheses and appliances from overseas makers by Australian dental practitioners
• growth in sourcing supply of dental prostheses and appliances since (say) 2009 and the reasons for growth in sourcing and supply;
• the current level and anticipated future of dental prostheses and appliances provided to dental practitioners in the ACT;
• adequacy of current Australian regulatory arrangements and requirements governing the sourcing and supply of dental prostheses and appliances from overseas;
• whether appropriate standards and regulations governing the sourcing and supply of dental prostheses and appliances from overseas are in force in Australia;
• whether dental patients and consumers are aware, or are made aware by practitioners, of the source and supply details of dental prostheses and appliances provided in Australia;
• experiences and relevant regulatory arrangements for dental prostheses and appliances sourced and supplied from overseas in other jurisdictions, such as the UK, US, New Zealand and Canada; and,
• any other related matter.

Matter self referred for inquiry by the Committee on 31 July 2014.

Letters were sent to the Chair of the Dental Board of Australia, the Director of the Therapeutic Goods Australia and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Ageing, Community and Social Services. (Refer Annual Report 2014-15 for Health Directorate, p. 85)