53879 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

53879 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What actions, if any, have been taken to increase the recruitment and retention of dental professionals in the quarter January to March 2024?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the January to March 2024 quarter, Health New Zealand continued to run an international recruitment campaign targeting oral health professionals. I am also advised that dentists and oral health specialists continue to be eligible for the Voluntary Bonding Scheme, which provides payments to newly qualified healthcare professionals in hard-to-staff specialties and locations during the first three to five years of their career.