7

Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) held the annual GENE awards on October 12th 2015. The Rose-

Anne Kelso Commemorative award was created by LSQ and sponsored by Stockwell to recognise an individual female’s endeavours, passion and dedication to the health and life sciences industry.

Leah Hobbs is an oral health therapist (OHT) in private practice and lecturer in the Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) program with a focus on oral health promotion and aims to increase the BOH student’s awareness of the wider community’s oral health needs. “Oral health therapists are such a vital part of the health community and provide fundamental health education and treatment to all sections of the public”, said Leah.

Since 2012, Leah has collaborated with the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability (QCIDD) to increase oral health awareness for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In collaboration with QCIDD, Leah took

the lead on the production of four short videos on oral health care for people with cognitive and sensory impairment. Leah engages with BOH students to be included in the development of these videos. These videos go through steps on going to a dental surgery, flossing and tooth brushing. These online videos are not only useful for patients

with disability, but are useful tools for families, carers and health practitioners to encourage positive oral health practices.

Leah has developed an online mentor program for BOH students and oral health therapists who are working all over Queensland. This teaching innovation has shown to increase

BOH student’s communication and professional skills, in addition to having experienced OHT’s feel more engaged by imparting their expansive knowledge in their profession.

These teaching and health innovations have increased students engagement in the BOH program. As the winner of the Rose-Anne Commemorative Award, Leah will be attending the International Association for Disability and Oral Health in conjunction with the Special Care Dentistry Association annual meeting in Chicago in April 2016 to further her knowledge in the area of special needs dentistry. At this conference, Leah has been accepted to present a poster on “Mentoring - is it favorable teaching strategy for increasing awareness for pediatric patients with disability in the Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy program?”

www.scdaonline.org/?page=annualmeetingwww.lsq.com.au/Events/GENE2016.aspxwww.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2015-10-13.124.1

Winner at the first time of askingMeet inaugural Rose-Anne Kelso Commemorative Award winner: Leah Hobbs

“ The award was created to recognise an individual female’s endeavours, passion and dedication to the health and life sciences industry.”

8

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Axel Spahr presented a succinct yet clinically informative session regarding comprehension, identification, treatment and prevention of the occurrence of periodontal pathogens in natural dentition and implants alike.

This was a continuing professional development session, sponsored by EMS and held in January at the Crowne Plaza in the Hunter Valley. Professor Spahr provided educated insight concerning the contributing factors, progression, treatment and ongoing preventative care measures of periodontal disease, and the additional or alternative measures required to effectively address peri-implantitis.

Additionally, discrepancies amongst professional health care providers were addressed in regards to variation of product recommendations, the diversity in which one

approaches suitable treatment options, and associated appropriate instrumentation during the treatment and ongoing maintenance phase of periodontists and peri-implantitis.

Informative discussion comprised of: manual and powered toothbrush use and recommendations, auspicious ultrasonic scaler tip selection, optimal utilisation of additional treatment methods (including adjuvant antimicrobial and/or antibiotic therapies), and adherence to current professional guidelines and recommendations for periodontal treatment.

Furthermore, current technological advances within the dental industry have seen improvements with respect to efficacy, prognosis and patient comfort during procedures; such as the sponsor’s air polishing device “Air-Flow”. Professor Axel Spahr provided an evidence-based approach in highlighting the indications for air polishing use, possible associated risks (with regards to instrumentation and varying powders available) and demonstrated efficacy with the utilisation of differing case studies.

Following the conclusion of the highly relevant and educational session, attendees were invited to partake in a Hunter Valley exclusive wine tasting accompanied by fine cheese and cracker selections, freshly harvested fruits and superior company. DHAA members, non-members and students were able to interact with fellow dental professionals, sales representatives and DHAA board delegates for an afternoon of frivolity amidst the surreal nature of the Hunter Valley vineyards.Elysia Arnott is a dental hygienist working at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. We thank her for taking the time to write this article for The Bulletin.

Periodontal and implant maintenanceElysia Arnott reports on the EMS Ultrasonic and Modern Prophylaxis technique

I AM 41 YEARS OLD, happily married with two lovely

daughters aged 13 and 9. I am currently working full time as

a Dental Hygienist in an Orthodontic Practice called “Live Life

Smiling” in Newcastle NSW.

I did not always have a love for teeth and gums, when I

finished my HSC way back in 1991 I went to Uni and studied

Art. I received my Bachelor in Visual Arts then decided

I wanted to work in hospitality so I went to TAFE and

completed a Certificate in Hospitality Management. In 1996 I

travelled to England for a working holiday living and working

in a little pub in Oxford. I stayed overseas for 18 months

earning pounds and backpacking around Europe.

On my return to Australia I started as a receptionist at an

Orthodontic practice (my childhood Orthodontist in fact),

this was only going to temporary until I found a “real job”. It

wasn’t long before I realised I really liked Orthodontics. After

working in the office side of the practice for about 10 years

I decided I’d really like some hands on work in the surgery. I

enrolled in the Oral Health

course at Newcastle Uni to

become a Dental Hygienist

– a huge step at the time as

a mature age student with

two small children. I threw

myself into three years of

study and passed with flying colours, thanks to my very

supportive husband and understanding kids.

My previous studies haven’t been in vain as my

background in hospitality helps me to communicate with

patients and the fine art side helps with manual dexterity

and instrumentation. I enjoy working as a Hygienist as each

day brings a new challenge with patients and procedures.

Being able to improve the oral health of my patients through

education and prevention is especially gratifying.

I’m eagerly looking forward to contributing to the DHAA

newsletter. Thank you for the opportunity.

Say Hello! Fiona Bartley

9

20th International Symposium on Dental Hygiene23rd to 25th June 2016 Basel Switzerland

New Challenges

14

MELBOURNE DENTAL SCHOOL

THIS WAS THE EAGERLY anticipated light at the

end of the tunnel, and what a night to remember! On

behalf of the Bachelor of Oral Health and Doctor of

Dental Surgery graduating classes of 2015 I would

like to extend a warm thank you to the DHAA for

their generous monetary contribution as well as CPD

vouchers for two very lucky BOH graduates!

The night was dedicated to celebrating our rich

learning experience, hard work, achievements and

friendships over the years with fellow graduates and

demonstrators alike (now all colleagues) at the Grand

Hyatt Melbourne where a delicious meal and drinks

were well enjoyed and dozens of prizes handed out. Let

us also not forget the showcase of all our now not-so-

secret dancing talents.

As we close this chapter, another more exciting one

opens in the professional world… we can’t wait!!

Graduating in styleWith assignments a thing of the past there’s only one thing left to do...

dentalprotection.org.auDPL Australia Pty Ltd (DPLA) ABN 24 092 695 933 CARnumber 326134 is a Corporate Authorised Representativeof MDA National Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 56 058 271 417AFS license number 238073

Thecompletepackage

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UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE

Students glammed up last December to celebrate the

completion of their degree. Held at Wolfies Bar in the

Rocks, the harbour gave the perfect backdrop for the event

attended by students, partners and a of their tutors. Recent

graduated were able to catch up and unwind after their final

exams, discuss hurriedly about their upcoming jobs and

further studies while laughing and dancing the night away.

With some students going on to study Dentistry, some

going back to the University of Newcastle to increase

their scope to include therapy skills, and some who were

awaiting their results to start their new jobs - the night was a

bittersweet farewell to their time at students together.

Thanks to the DHAA for their support, as the night was a

huge success and one that will be remembered by all who

attended for years to come.

Congratulations to the Class of 2015 UoN BOH, it was an

absolute blast!

dentalprotection.org.auDPL Australia Pty Ltd (DPLA) ABN 24 092 695 933 CARnumber 326134 is a Corporate Authorised Representativeof MDA National Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 56 058 271 417AFS license number 238073

Thecompletepackage

More support

More advice

World leadingdefence

for hygienists, therapistsand oral health therapists

18

Improving the dental health of communities should be as simple a move as the car-free CBD. If we examine some of the determinants for good oral health: nutrition, general health and well-being and easy access to fluoridated drinking water; community level approaches to the management of risk factors effecting these determinants should be relatively simple. In fact for one of these determinants the solution already exists, it just seems to have lost favour with the public. The drinking fountain, affectionately known in the Australian vernacular as a ‘bubbler’ is in desperate need of a PR campaign. Historically seen a positive indicator of governmental concern for citizens, water fountains are now often placed thoughtlessly and

neglected; their public persona needs to improve and dental practitioners may have to play a role in this.

The first drinking fountain was erected in London in 1859. The fountain was funded by the Metropolitan Free Drinking Fountain Association and was actually constructed as a tool of the temperance movement. When water quality was poor and beer seemed a far more sanitary choice, the drinking fountain was engineered in the hopes that those wishing to quench their thirst had the option of doing so with refreshing water rather than by getting happily inebriated in the nearby tavern. People were ecstatic at the arrival of the drinking fountain and hundreds flocked to its opening.

“Water fluoridation generally results

in children having 35% fewer

decayed, missing and filled baby

teeth and 26% fewer decayed,

missing and filled permanent teeth.”

Could we see a return of the street side water bubbler; more space to excercise and areas for social interaction will have a knock-on effect on general community health

19

Over time the temperance movement has lost favour with the public and the drinking fountain fell from popularity. Poor initial design was responsible for contamination outbreaks and recently, bottled water seems to have become the beverage of choice for the majority of citizens. But that doesn’t have to mean the extinction of the bubbler. The bubbler could be co-opted for the dental health movement. Fluoridated water is a great tool in the fight against dental decay. Water fluoridation generally results in children having 35% fewer decayed, missing and filled baby teeth and 26% fewer decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (Iheozor-Ejiofor Z et al.). Much like how free, clean drinking water was used to tempt people away

from the perils of an 11am lager, drinking fountains could regain their popularity to entice people away from the two for one deal at the 7-Eleven for coke or chocolate milk. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and the drinking fountain is the enemy of tasty cariogenic refreshments, so it should be the friend of the dental professional. Though drinking fountains still exist in small numbers, much like payphones they are a dwindling relic vanishing from the urban landscape. Viewed unfavourably, they are seen more as a last resort for thirst quenching as opposed to their glorious, popular beginnings.

Perhaps lobbying for greater drinking fountain presence is one option, but on a macro level, we could start a grass roots

campaign to have the drinking fountain brought back to its former charming glory. When discussing ways in which to improve a patient’s oral health, it could be mentioned that there is a solution just around the corner. Its free, it’s cool and its thirst quenching. It might be slightly hard to find, but in some towns and cities drinking fountains can still be seen; they might just be lurking behind a decrepit phone booth sadly covered in cobwebs.

Corburn, Jason. “City Planning as Preventive Medicine.” Preventive Medicine 77 (2015): 48-51. Print.Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, et al. “Water Fluoridation for the Prevention of Dental Caries.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 6 (2015). Print.Whyte, William Hollingsworth. “Web of Friendship.” The Organization Man. . Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania Press, 2002., 2002.

20

The Australian Institute for Health and Welfare has released its latest report; Oral Health and Dental Care in

Australia: key facts and figures 2015. This document presents the most current information regarding the dental health and care trends for the Australian population. Data has been collected from surveys by the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data sets. Key topics covered by the report include: oral health, use of dental services, paying for dental services and the dental workforce.

Findings on the oral health of young Australians in 2010 revealed that 55% of six year-olds had experienced decay in their deciduous teeth, and 48% of 12 year-olds had experienced decay in their permanent teeth.

In 2013, of the adult population with natural teeth, 16% had experienced toothache in the preceding year. 27% of adults were uncomfortable about their dental appearance. Adults without insurance and those eligible for public

dental care (20%) were more likely to have dental pain.

Furthermore, 19% of our aging population (65 and over) had no natural teeth and those with natural dentition (42%) wore dentures.

Visiting patterns in 2013 showed 64% of Australians over five years old had visited a dental practitioner in the last year. Favourably, 44% of adults made regular dental check-ups with the same dental practitioner. There was good news for the population aged 15 and over – they visited the dentist more in 2013 (60.3%) compared to 1994 (56.4%). Remote Australians have the highest rate of potentially preventable hospitalisations relating from dental circumstances at 4.0 per 1,000 people compared to people living in cities at 2.6 per 1,000 people. Almost three-quarters of dentate adults with insurance (73.7%) made a dental visit within the previous year, compared with around half of those without insurance (51.0%)

Dental services received, in 2013, by people who had visited a dentist in the last 12 months, averaged 1.09 scale

and clean services, 0.65 fillings and 0.27 extractions. Scale and cleans were higher amongst people with insurance (1.19) compared to those uninsured (0.94).

In Australia, in 2012-2013, the total expenditure on dental services (except those in hospitals) was $8,706 million. Half of Australians (five years old and over) had private health insurance with dental cover in 2013, with 53% from major cities, 45% from inner regional areas and 44% from outer regional.

In 2013, higher income populations were more likely to have dental

The latest research is out on the Oral Health of Australians. Fiona Bartley gives us the low-down

JUST HOW GOOD ARE OUR TEETH?

21

insurance compared to lower income households.

In 2013, there were 1,759 dental hygienists, 943 oral health therapists and 1,093 dental therapists registered, with 85% or over employed in their field. Dental professionals employed in Australia per 100,000 people equated to approximately; 56 dentists, five dental prosthetists, five dental hygienists, three dental therapists and three oral health therapists. Most dentists (90%) were general dentists and the remaining 10% were specialists. Major cities had

63.1 practicing dentists per 100,000 people compared to remote regions with only 25.7.

The Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia: key facts and figures 2015 can be viewed in full through the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare website (www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129554382 )

Reference: AIHW 2016. Oral health and dental care in Australia: key facts and figures 2015. Dental statistics and research series. Cat. no. DEN 229. Canberra: AIHW.

“ In Australia, in 2012-2013, the total expenditure on dental services (except those in hospitals) was $8,706 million.”

22

The diminutive Bowerbird has adapted to use our plastic rubbish... especially blue toothbrushes!

27

“ If you’re not already a member of the DHAA Ltd. Facebook page please go to DHAA Ltd website and ‘like’ the page.”

Queensland

WEBSITE

dentalhygienist.com.au >

CONTACT

Email Queensland >

QLD HAS STARTED the year with DHAAQ Inc. officially winding up and we have now merged with DHAA Ltd.

QLD Chapter is led by QLD Chair (Robbern White), Qld Communications Officer (Carlene Franklin) and our strong CPD Team.

We will continue to support our local members.

The Queensland team has organised another great year of CPD and networking opportunities for 2016.

Homeless Connect – Wednesday 18 May at Eagle Farm. This is a rewarding day and we hope you can join us to spread the Preventative Oral Health Message.

Keep your eye out as we call for volunteers closer to the date or you can email me president-dhaaq@dentalhygienist.com.au to

register your interest.Hygiene Horizons:

“Prevention for the Patient and Practitioner” – Saturday 21 May.

The program for Hygiene Horizons includes; industrial relations; negotiating skills; the use and effects of silver fluoride; head and neck cancer; recent updates and how to perform an effective examination.

Back care for the Dental Practitioners including a Pilates class (the class is limited to 18 so you will need to register early to ensure your place).

Registration is now open!www.hygienehorizons2016.

eventbrite.com.au Save these dates for 2016:“Breakfast with our

very own Carol Tran” - 14 October at UQ Women’s

College. Carol will be presenting

on”Implant Maintenance” and “Air Abrasion” . (CPR will also be included for those who wish to update.)

QLD Facebook PageThe DHAAQ Facebook page

will now merge with the national DHAA Ltd account.

As of the 31 March 2016 the DHAAQ Inc. Facebook page will close. If you’re not already a member of the DHAA Ltd. Facebook page please go to DHAA Ltd website and ‘like’ the page. The page is very active and will keep you updated on all events and developments.

Wishing you all a successful 2016 and we look forward to seeing you at our Events in Sunny Queensland.

Robbern White QLD Chair

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY is the newest addition to the state/territory reports as part of the formation of the national body DHAA Ltd.

With this comes the appointment of an NT Director and the vision to give NT OHT’s and dental hygienist’s the same membership benefits, representation and

opportunities as other states and territories. We are currently acting on appointing an NT committee and foresee NT members feeling more included, informed and involved in oral health community events and advocacy.

I moved from Perth to Darwin in April of last year and am loving the weather,

the people, the lifestyle and the opportunities it has brought into my life. After being involved in the DHAA WA committee as the alternative national councillor I am keen to develop the DHAA’s role here in the Northern Territory and I look forward to the year ahead.Leonie Brown NT Director

Northern Territory

WEBSITE

dhaa.info >

CONTACT

TBA

28

GREETINGS EVERYONE to a new year with lots happening around the country.

Victoria had its first CPD event for the year, which was held as a dinner meeting with guest speaker Dr. Warren Crossley giving a presentation on orthognathic surgery. It was an informative talk injected with Dr. Crossley’s

infectious humour. There was a good turn out of about 30 delegates and we all enjoyed a delicious meal at an inner Melbourne pub that has hosted us before.

Up and coming events scheduled for the Victorian CPD calendar include a Combined Event on 18 June associated with ADAVB whereby Victoria will combine with ADOHTA to

host a program.On Saturday, 10 September

we will run a Full Day Program in association with DPL at Rydges on Swanston and of course the National Symposium in November.

Wishing all states and its members a prosperous 2016 and we look forward to catching up with you.

Anne DiPaulo

Victoria State Chair

Victoria

WEBSITE

dhaavb.com.au >

CONTACT

0418 336 119

“ There is very little in the way of positive media when it comes to the state of the nation’s health, but very slowly we are aim to positively influence the oral health component”

THE WESTERN Australian branch committee is happy to have joined into the new National DHAA. Our members that attended the restructure meeting held in December made a resounding “yes” vote. We are excited to see our Association grow and move forward, and offer more opportunities for our members to be part of something that truly reaches all corners of our land.

Here in WA we are currently assisting in the production of the next State Oral Health Plan. There is very little in the way of positive media when it comes to the state of the nation’s

health, but very slowly we are aim to positively influence the oral health component, which is sadly overlooked by so many major initiatives. Politically and financially the economic climate is quite grim, which unfortunately has so many flow-on effects, and will for years to come.

We continue to attend meetings with Dr Patrick Shanahan, who is a very strong advocate for the oral health of underserved populations, and the role that we, as preventive oral health practitioners, have in “turning the tide”. Watch this space.

We continue to hold interesting and relevant CPD

events – please get in touch if you have any requests for content. Please note that our WA website will be closing shortly and transitioning over to the new national DHAA site, which will be launched very soon. Please ensure that your CPD file is up to date – all of the details of recent courses are still on the “events” tab on the site. Our WA Facebook page is also closing, and transitioning into the National site – please make sure you “like” it to stay up to date with current

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Natasha HuntWestern Australia State Chair

Western Australia

WEBSITE

dhaawa.com >

CONTACT

0449 910 455

29

Key to the state coloursn ACT n NSW n NT n Qld n SA n Tas n Vic n WA

The 2016 CPD Events calendar is already filling up. Full details at www.dhaainfo/eventsPlanner

MAR 2016 15 March DHAA SA March Supper Meeting The Hackney Hotel, Hackney

18-20 March ADX 2016 Sydney Exhibition Centre at Glebe Island, Sydney, New South Wales

21 March DHAA NSW First Dinner General Meeting North Sydney Harbourview Hotel, Sydney

23 March DHAA ACT Member Business Meeting

MAY 2016 6-7 May Nutrition and the Dental Practice with Dr. Steven Lin (DHAA Discounted Event), TBA

TBA

6 May 1:00-5.00pm

DHAA WA Combined Event ASP - A return to basic periodontology skills

Kallis function room, Leederville, Western Australia

9 May DHAA NSW Second Dinner General Meeting TBA

18-May DHAA QLD Homeless Connect Eagle Farm, Queensland

20-May DHAA SA/ ADOHTA Joint Event The Highway Hotel, Plympton, South Australia

21 May DHAA QLD Hygiene Horizons “Prevention for the Patient and Practitioner”

TBA, Queensland

28 May 8:30am-1:00pm

DHAA WA half- day seminar: “ A potpourri of minimal intervention dentistry”; “Screening for TMJ”; “Dry mouth: is there more to it?”

Telethon Speech & Hearing Centre, Wembley, Western Australia

JUN 2016 16 June DHAA ACT Dinner Meeting

17 June DHAA SA June Dinner Meeting Adelaide Oval, Ian MsLachlan Room

23-35 June IFDH International Symposium on Dental Hygiene

Basel, Switzerland

18-Jun ADAVB and ADOHTA combined event TBA

JUL 2016 9 July DHAA NSW Full Day Conference Swissotel, Sydney, New South Wales

AUG 2016 12 August DHAA Professional Development ‘By Request

22 August DHAA NSW Third Dinner General Meeting TBA

SEP 2016 2 September DHAA SA September CPD Day Adelaide Convention Centre

10-Sep DHAA VIC/DPL full day program Rydges, Swanston, Victoria

20 September DHAA TAS Business Meeting

OCT 2016 14th October DHAA QLD CPD day “Breakfast with our very own Carol Tran” - presenting on”Implant Maintenance” and “Air Abrasion” (CPR will also be included for those who wish to update)

University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland

19 October DHAA TAS Dinner Meeting

NOV 2016 10-12 November DHAA 2016 National Symposium MONA & Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, Tasmania

DEC 2016 2 December DHAA Tasmania Christmas Party

4 December DHAA SA Christmas Breakfast The National Wine Centre, SA

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