Sir, I am unsure if many British dentists are aware of the current medical indemnity issues surrounding dentists that work in Australia.

From early 2004, the Australian federal government changed medical indemnity laws, ultimately changing the entire dental/medical indemnity policies in this country.

After early 2004 dentists who have worked in Australia for even a brief period will need to continue to pay 'the tail' of medical indemnity insurance to protect them from possible litigation for a period of up to six years, after they stop working in Australia.

Medical indemnity insurance for dentists can be expensive in Australia. A locum in Australia for even a short period of time, say three to four weeks, would also need to pay this six year tail cover to protect themselves medico-legally.

To make matters more difficult the actual amount to be paid upon cessation of work in Australia cannot be advised, and is at a reduced full year's premium for this six year period.

Australia is a beautiful, diverse and friendly place to work as a dentist. However, I urge all dentists considering working in Australia to contact Australian medical indemnity companies to consider these implications before working there.