A cap on dental school admissions is worsening workforce shortages across New Zealand, industry experts warn. Clinics nationwide are struggling to fill vacancies, with many operating short-staffed for extended periods.
The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) highlighted the issue in its Fees and Dental Workforce Survey 2025. Based on responses from nearly 500 members, the survey revealed significant delays in recruitment and mounting pressure on dental services.
Hiring Delays Leave Clinics Struggling
On average, clinics take 24 weeks to hire a dentist, while one in four positions remains vacant for more than 40 weeks. In regional areas, filling a vacancy can take close to a year—or even longer.
The shortage is particularly acute in underserved communities. A recent free pop-up clinic in Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, was overwhelmed with demand after the town went five years without a full-time dentist.
Three-quarters of surveyed dentists work in small practices with three or fewer practitioners, underlining the limited capacity of the sector to absorb workforce gaps.
Admission Caps Limit Domestic Dentist Supply
NZDA director of dental policy Dr Robin Whyman said the shortage stems from a longstanding cap on domestic dental student intake at the University of Otago, New Zealand’s only dental school.
“The number of dentists trained in New Zealand hasn’t increased significantly since the 1980s,” Whyman explained. “The current cap of 60 students per year is no longer sufficient for a population that has grown from just over 3 million to more than 5 million.”
The cap was last raised in 2014, when the government increased annual intake from 54 to 60 students—the first adjustment in more than 50 years.
Impact on Patients and Staff
NZDA president Dr Dave Excell warned that ongoing shortages are placing strain on both patients and dental teams.
“Clinics are doing everything they can to maintain services, but prolonged vacancies stretch staff and lead to longer wait times,” Excell said.
He added that the issue affects more than staffing numbers, undermining access to consistent dental care.
“Communities need reliable, ongoing dental services—not temporary solutions. Without a stable workforce, access becomes increasingly fragile,” Excell said.