CPD spotlight
Dr Melanie McAlpine
Celebrating a centenary
Cottesloe Dental celebrates 100 years
Guess who’s coming for dinner
Upcoming WA Dental CPD dinner courses
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I hope our members had a good Easter break and got a chance to refresh and recharge.
We continue with the great work that has been started by our ADAWA Committees in 2023. The Committees are blessed with a diverse and dynamic group of volunteers. I take this opportunity to thank the commitment and dedication of every member who volunteers their time.
On World Oral Health Day, 20 March, a collaboration between our ADAWA Oral Health Education Committee, Dental Health Services, Aboriginal Health and Town Teams Mirrabooka, united to spread the word about the importance of oral health. Engagement with the public and education on how to reduce the burden of oral disease was the overriding theme. More than 400 oral health packs were donated by ADAWA. A special thanks to our Councillors, Drs Peter Duke, Gino Cirillo, Trish Elder and Sahara Saeedi who were part of this.
The ADAWA Indemnity Committee has hit the ground running this year, advocating strongly on behalf of members with the introduction of new
Editorial Brooke Evans-Butler Designer Michelle Walker CEO Trevor Lovelle President Dr Amit Gurbuxanicategories by our indemnity insurer MDA. Read the CEO Report for further details. Specific thanks to our ADAWA Councillor, Dr Tim Clair and CEO Trevor Lovelle for all the hard work on behalf of members.
Inter-professional engagement is the key to future professional growth. A highly successful PharmacyDentistry interdisciplinary workshop was held in March. Promoting engagement between our future professionals helps foster harmony and networks. This workshop was held under the umbrella of the ADAWA Recent Graduate and Student Liaison Committee, the UWA Dental School, UDSS and the UWA School of Pharmacy. A special thanks to Drs Alex Park and Manorika Ratnaweera from the UWA Dental School for fostering this opportunity.
I sign off this issue, by stating I am proud to work with our ADAWA Committee volunteers and Councillors, who have shown a genuine effort towards a cultural change for the betterment of our association and our community.
The annual negotiation for indemnity insurance practice categories with insurance underwriter MDA National has concluded with several changes confirmed for the 2023/24 year. One of the key changes to the ‘23/’24 Practice Category Guide (the Guide) is the introduction of the YD4M category, which is intended for:
“General dentists or registered Ahpra specialists undertaking removal of impacted and/or unerupted/partially erupted mandibular third molars where none of the other conditions relating to the YD4I and YDX categories apply”.
MDA National contend that the introduction of the YD4M category is necessary and reflects actuarial data that lower third molar extractions are a significant risk factor and that many of these cases will end up being large claims evidenced by reserves that had escalated in prior policy periods. It was envisaged that the new category would be priced at a premium over the existing YD4 category.
The ADAWA Indemnity Committee argued strongly that the introduction of the YD4M category could lead to general dentists deciding not performing lower third molar extraction, even though the procedure is in general practice scope, and potential adverse outcomes for the community, especially where there are limited options for the community to seek these services.
The Committee also challenged the rationale for the YD4M category since it had not been established that the incidence of complexities with third molar extractions, in Western Australia at least, is a trend and not an aberration.
The Committee successfully amended the YD4M category description to specify “impacted and/or unerupted/partially erupted mandibular third molars” and limited the price premium to 10% over the YD4 category. The Committee will be monitoring the insurance claims experience for the YD4M category in the ensuing year.
Other changes to the Guide include:
• YD4I: For general dentists or registered Ahpra specialists in their fourth year or subsequent years after graduation undertaking surgical placement of implants with or without adjunctive bone and soft tissue augmentation where none of the other conditions relating to the YD4M and YDX categories apply.
NOTE: Anyone undertaking placement of implants irrespective of the number should select YD4I where none of the conditions relating to YDX apply
• YDX: For any general dentists or registered specialists undertaking:
1. surgical placement of implants and
2. removal of impacted and/or unerupted/partially erupted mandibular third molars and/or
3. any sinus lift or bone augmentation procedures involving the maxillary sinus and/or nasal floor are carried out
NOTE: Persons undertaking both implants and removal of lower third molars or sinus lift/bone augmentation should select YDX as these are riskier procedures.
Introducing run off pricing for a finite period for anyone ceasing practice permanently before applying an extended reporting period (ERP) endorsement.
The aim is to allow members ceasing practice permanently to select the relevant leave of absence category (YLA) for a period of 4 years prior to applying for an ERP.
This will be a renewable policy for a maximum of 4 years after which the Policy will be endorsed with an ERP subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to ERP currently.
It is envisaged that introducing run off pricing for a finite period will reduce the administrative costs of processing ERP's for members who then return to practice within a short period. The intention is for anyone ceasing practice permanently to select the relevant leave of absence category (YLA) for a period of 4 years prior to applying for an ERP.
Dr Alex Park is currently a Senior Lecturer in General Dental Practice/ Pharmacology at UWA Dental School. He has a unique perspective to offer students – having qualifications in both Dentistry and Pharmacy. Back in 2007, Alex began a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Otago, before graduating in 2010. “I was an intern pharmacist in 2011 and became a registered pharmacist at the end of that year,” he recalls. “I moved to country Victoria in 2012 and worked for about a year in a regional community. “When I started working as a pharmacist I enjoyed the clinical side of it, but I felt I could do more,” he says.
Looking for the right fit, Alex did a training in Dental Assisting and Pathology Specimen Collection and realised that Dentistry was where he wanted to be, so enrolled into the Doctor of Dental Medicine course at UWA. He also realised there was an opportunity for research in Dentistry, which he was passionate about, so with the support of Winthrop Professor Mark Tennant AM, Associate Professor Estie Kruger, Professor Robert Anthonappa and Dr Michelle Huang, Alex simultaneously did two research projects in 2016, and has now published numerous research articles in international peer-reviewed
scientific journals. He is also an editorial board member for BMC Oral Health and an associate editor of the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice. “During my undergrad as a pharmacist, it sounded like publishing was an impossible task, so I was excited to have that opportunity through Dentistry,” he recalls. “I think my involvement in research was why I got into the General Dental Officer year. During Dental School I also completed my professional honours in clinical pharmacy at the University of Tasmania.”
Alex was starting work on his PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Public Health) when COVID hit, so he decided he would also take on a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education at the University of Otago to see if teaching would be a good path for him. He then started as a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at the Dental School, as well as the Optometry School. “Professor Ngo then approached me and said they needed someone to teach General Dental Practice, so in 2022 I was a first-year coordinator for the Doctor of Dental Medicine program, teaching basic operative dentistry,” he recalls.
Teaching during COVID restrictions was challenging, but Alex says it led to a strong connection with his students.
How Dr Alex Park is using his dual qualifications in Dentistry and Pharmacy to help the profession.
When COVID hit; half of our intake was stuck interstate, so I was responsible for catching them all up because the new curricular allowed you to start practical from day one.”
As well as teaching, Alex found the opportunity to give back by cohosting the Year 9/10 Djinanginy school excursion program, hosted by UWA (which allows Indigenous students the opportunity to understand what university is like).
“I have been co-hosting the program since 2016 and it is great to be able to inspire and motivate the students with the idea of dentistry. I think it has also been a good experience because it helps me realise, I don’t have to always do extreme volunteering to know that I am contributing.”
In November 2022, Alex was appointed to the Therapeutics Committee as a two-year Federal appointment. “Dr Amit Gurbuxani encouraged me to pursue it, and he helped me realise my potential,” he says. “I wanted to be able to find ways to communicate therapeutic dental
therapy and related concepts to the wider dental community. I have almost 12 years’ experience in health and dental combined so it was good for me to show that I can provide some investigative knowledge on dental therapeutics. If there are any therapeutic goods administrative issues in terms of drug shortages, or if there are any new policies when it comes to drug related issues, I can tell people about those issues, changes and polices,” Alex explains. “I am happy to contribute, and I like to think I have some niche skills that I am fortunate to be able to share.” He adds members from the dental community are welcome to contact him for a casual chat about drugrelated queries. “I’m not ADA Pharma Advice, but if they wanted to have a chat about the ways to find resources and how to look up information or upskill, I can point them in the right direction,” he says.
Alex is heading to Scotland in June – looking at drug-related adverse effects in older patients.
He is also looking forward to doing more research and applying his knowledge he gained from the doctoral thesis he recently submitted.
They missed six weeks, so there were a lot of night sessions to catch them up, and I think that is how my first years and I bonded.”
Our dentists help spread the word about the importance of oral health on World Oral Health Day at a wonderful community event in Mirrabooka.
We were thrilled to collaborate with Dental Health Services, Aboriginal Health, Town Teams Mirrabooka and the City of Stirling to host a World Oral Health Day Smile Session at Mirrabooka Town Square on World Oral Health Day, March 20.
Dr Sahara Saeedi, chair Oral Health Education Committee says the collaboration of the groups was formed at an ADAWA Council meeting following a request from councillor Dr Peter Duke.
“I’m a member of a community activation hub in Mirrabooka called Town Teams – myMirrabooka,” Peter says. “The group was hosting Harmony Week events, including a community BBQ and picnic, and I was asked if (my practice) would host an oral health event. We decided Monday would be a good choice as it coincided with World Oral Health Day.”
Peter accepted the personal invitation as a member of Town Teams, but when another person on the committee (who happens to be the health promotion officer for North Metro Health) suggested fellow ADAWA Councillor and A/Director of Aboriginal Health, Dr Trish Elder should also be approached,
Peter realised the value the ADAWA Oral Health Education Committee would bring in raising the success and impact of the event.
After discussions at an ADAWA Council meeting about the event, Dr Gino Cirrilo volunteered that Dental Health Services should join as well, which led to a wonderful collaboration between the three stakeholders – working together to create more impact and connect with more members of the local community to spread the message about the importance of oral health.
ADAWA donated more than 400 oral health packs to give out to members of the public, and the stand was also equipped with informative brochures and literature. Sensodyne also supplied denture boxes and denture cleaning agents.
Being Harmony Week, there was also an important focus on Indigenous oral health. “Trish engaged so well with the aboriginal community; she was bringing people over to the stand and did an amazing job,” Peter says.
“It was a very successful event from a community and dental health promotion aspect,” Sahara adds.
The Oral Health Education Committee hopes this event will be the start of many more collaborative oral health events, and Sahara adds ADAWA is happy to support members if they would like to do other community outreach events. Thank you to our Councillors, Drs Peter Duke, Sahara Saeedi, Trish Elder and Gino Cirrilo and the ADAWA Oral Health Education Committee for their efforts to make this event such a success.
ADAWA members are entitled to a 12% discount on health cover each year when premiums are paid by direct debit. Existing HIF members need only call or email to have the discount applied to their membership.
Visit hif.com.au/adawa and use the access code ADAWA Alternatively call HIF on 1300 13 40 60 or email sales@hif.com.au
The message around World Oral Health Day has been about being proud of your mouth and protecting your smile across your life, so it was great to see the level of engagement from the public.”
After more than a decade as the Dental Health Services Representative on ADAWA Council, Dr Martin Glick has retired. We caught up with him about his time on Council and his future plans.
Why did you initially decide to join ADAWA Council 13 years ago as the DHS representative?
It was a combination of two things; one being that at the time the Director of Dental Health Services (DHS) was an ex officio member of the ADAWA Council and that arrangement had been in place for many years. Secondly, it was a great opportunity to continue on the good work that previous DHS Directors had done in forming very collegial relationships with ADAWA members, Council and Executive to progress the advancement of dentistry in WA, in the many forms that this takes.
What have been some of the highlights during
particular time as they did change often. In a general sense, other highlights were the ongoing work done by ADAWA Council and Executive in dealing with other issues that arose either on a State or National level.
What are your hopes for the DHS and ADAWA relationship going forward?
That the current excellent working relationship that exists continues and any expertise DHS has can be shared with ADAWA to improve how the business operates for the benefit of all the members.
What consultancy work will you be continuing?
At the moment I have just finished having two months' holiday and am now back at DHS doing some project work. My previous managerial role has been filled and Catherine Alford is now the Manager Central Clinical and Support Services.
What are your plans for retirement?
These include travelling to Melbourne (often) to see our granddaughter, doing some walking on the Bibbulmun Track, riding on the Munda Biddi Trail, woodworking, learning to play the drums (I hope the drum teacher has a lot of patience as I have no sense of beat or rhythm), going to the gym to keep fit, gardening, overseas travel, starting up meditation on a more regular basis, doing some volunteering and learning some simple magic tricks to impress my granddaughter. I think that should keep me pretty busy once I stop work completely. Do you have a message you would like to leave for ADAWA members?
COVID rules were at any
I have a number of things that are on my list to start.
I would urge all dentists to become a member of the ADAWA so that the ADAWA is the true voice of dentistry in WA and speaks for all dentists. With a large membership base there is the opportunity for ADAWA to provide suppo rt to all members, in whatever way that is, so that each member recognises the value that belonging to ADAWA encompasses.
Not long after starting work in private practice, Dr Stephanie Tan says she felt there was something lacking. “I needed something else to enrich my day-to-day,” she recalls. “I figured that since I had a passion for community service, and I also had skills as a dentist that I might as well put the two together and offer my time and skills to an area of need. It was around this time that I also started encountering patients who were victims of domestic violence in my day-to-day work. Moved by their stories, I wanted to be able to help in a tangible way. Shortly after that, I saw a social media post about Healing Smiles and knew that it was the perfect opportunity.”
Stephanie currently volunteers with Healing Smiles once a month, however this can change depending on what’s needed for each patient. “I split my time between volunteering for Healing Smiles and for St Pat’s, such that I volunteer my time to one organisation or another once
Enriching the day-to-day Dr Stephanie Tan has only been out of Dental School for a few years but has channelled her passion for community service and her skills as a dentist towards volunteering with Healing Smiles and at St Pat’s.
a fortnight at least,” she adds. For Healing Smiles cases, Stephanie says she usually performs the basic scope of general dentistry, which includes root canals and dentures, in addition to the usual fillings and cleans. “A great aspect of the program is that there are wonderful specialists who volunteer their time to whom we can refer,” she adds. “If ever there’s anything out of my scope or anything I’m not so sure about there’s a whole host of people who can help.”
Stephanie shares that volunteering has been a greatly rewarding experience. “A lot of the feedback I receive has been centred around their being appreciative of the patience and empathy I have for them during appointments, as many of them are dental phobic or have anxiety disorder in general,” Stephanie says. “It’s always been a joy to be able to create an environment where my patients feel comfortable enough to share their stories, and in many cases, overcome great personal anxiety in order to sit in the dental chair.”
“A recent standout moment would have to have been getting to see one of my Healing Smiles patients with her full upper and lower dentures,” she adds. “It had been such a long time coming, and she had been through so
much both in life and in the dental chair, so it was amazing to be able to give her back her smile again.”
As a new practitioner, Stephanie is no stranger to the stresses of accomodating to a new environment, however she finds that Healing Smiles consistently creates a welcoming and safe environment for anyone who wants to join.
“The volunteering experience was really great! This is very much a credit to Sandra Wood (who is the Volunteerism Coordinator for Healing Smiles), who really has been the reason why I’ve been able to volunteer at all.”
“She’s always been accommodative to the times and availabilities I’ve put forward and always checks that I’m not overloaded. She has made Healing Smiles such a wonderful environment for the dentists to volunteer their time.”
To other dentists thinking about volunteering, Stephanie says to give it a try. “I’ve loved it since starting, and through the program I’ve gotten to meet so many wonderful people –colleagues and patients alike. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I really encourage other new grads in getting involved.”
It’s always been a joy to be able to create an environment where my patients feel comfortable enough to share their stories, and in many cases, overcome great personal anxiety in order to sit in the dental chair.”
More than 110 people including current staff and Partners of Cottesloe Dental, former Partners and staff of more than 10 years’ service at the practice and special guests came together in March for an event at the Freshwater Bay Yacht Club to celebrate the practice’s centenary.
Founded by Len Glaskin in 1923, the practice was originally run out of Len’s home in Mosman Park, before the practice was moved to the rear of Greens Chemist on Stirling Highway. Len was joined by his son Bruce at the practice in 1947 and the pair worked together for a number of years until Len’s retirement (Len spent 31 years at the practice and Bruce 46 years).
The practice experienced great growth in the 1960s and moved next door to Greens Chemist to a purposebuilding (the practice’s current location), which has been renovated and expanded several times over the years. The practice has been staffed by a loyal group of dentists, and Dentist and Partner Dr Colin O’Brien (who joined Cottesloe Dental in 1986) laughs that his time at Cottesloe Dental is by no means the longest. “One of our dentists, Dr Max Trott, was at the practice for 50 years,” he says.
“Drs Bruce Glaskin, John Carroll, Bruce Barblett and Ken Cumming all did about 40 years of service each at the practice.”
As well as caring for three or four generations of patients, Colin says a big part of the practice’s history has been servicing the private schools around the area. “As a result, there is a large country connection as a lot of the students were boarders,” he explains. “Those students would then go back to the country and send their next generation of children to the practice when they became boarders.” When asked why Cottesloe Dental has been trusted to care for the oral health of their community for 100 years, Colin says the team has always kept abreast of current technology and been staffed by dedicated Partners. “Our partnership (currently with seven Partners) works well due to the comradery and longevity of many of the Partners and the subsequent continuity.
“We also have a prominent place in the Cottesloe area, right on the highway and adjacent to the Cottesloe Central Shopping Centre. We have concentrated on being a family practice and that is where we will go forward,” he says.
“There might be changes but it is a community practice and has been successful thanks to the contribution of many people over a long time.”
A warm congratulations to all the Cottesloe Dental staff and Partners on their centenary.
Cottesloe Dental is celebrating a significant milestone – 100 years of taking care of their local community’s smiles.
Our WA Dental CPD dinner courses provide good food, great company and the opportunity to learn. It’s dinner and a show! We take a look at upcoming dinner courses that you will not want to miss.
Held at the University Club, the dinner courses include a delicious three course meal to enjoy while you learn.
Some of our upcoming dinner courses include
May 4
Updates in Cariology: From diagnosis and detection through to management
Presented by Paediatric Dentist
Dr Jilen Patel (who has previously received both the Royal Australasian College Emerging Lecturers Award and Australian Dental Association/ Pierre Fauchard Academy’s Young Lecturer Award), this series of lectures will cover recent updates in cariology and unravel contemporary evidence with a focus on clinical practice. The session will cover aspects such as when to intervene in the caries process, caries removal protocols and changes to caries risk assessment.
May 11
A Dinner with POP! (Pros, Ortho and Perio)
The three presenters of this course (a prosthodontist, an orthodontist and a periodontist) have met in person regularly over 14 years to brainstorm patient cases and continually learn and share – this dinner gives others an opportunity to learn as well. This meeting will be a casual and interactive presentation of some multidisciplinary cases that have
been treated over the years with a focus on patient-centred outcomes. The dinner will be presented by orthodontist Dr Crofton Daniels, periodontist Dr Wendy Gill and prosthodontist Dr Brendan Joyce.
June 29
The Halitosis Pathosis: Diagnosis, Prognosis and More
Periodontist Dr Melanie McAlpine and Oral Medicine Specialist Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen have teamed up to talk about all things orally odorous, and will discuss what a dental professional should know in this interactive lecture on the causes of halitosis, pseudohalitosis, possible systemic contributors and further investigations required, and red flags.
July 6
Silver Diamine Fluoride: Use vs Abuse
Presented by paediatric dentist Dr Jilen Patel, this lecture will discuss the history behind SDF, the mechanisms of action of SDF, the current evidence from both the most recent invitro and clinical research.
Director of Continuing Development Dr Jenny Ball has arranged dinner courses that will be educational and entertaining.
September 7
The Bite Stuff – Occlusion for the General Practitioner
Dr Asheen Behari will discuss a sensible approach to occlusion in general practice. It will provide some principles of occlusion and practical guidelines and procedures to follow in practice.
October 19
Innovation in Virtual Implant Treatment Planning and Guided Implant Surgery
Discipline lead in Prosthodontics at the University of Western Australia, Dr Adam Hamilton, will explore the various technologies which can be integrated into the digital implant workflow with a clinical and evidenced-based approach to the advantages and disadvantages of each.
November 8
Restorative Driven Ortho – A Dinner
Interdisciplinary treatment is often required to achieve both functional and aesthetic outcomes for our patients. This presentation from a general practitioner, an orthodontist and prosthodontist demonstrate how three disciplines can work together to achieve these outcomes. The lecture will be presented by Drs Steven Naoum, Tom Elliot and Han Oh.
To book one or more of our upcoming dinner courses, simply head to our website adawa.com.au/cpd
They are a great way to enjoy CPD, without taking time off the practice, whilst having a fantastic meal and catching up with and meeting new colleagues.”
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Dr Melanie McAlpine is well-known in dental circles, so it might surprise some to find out that dentistry wasn’t always on her radar. She initially studied Science at university. “I met a lot of great fun people who were applying for Dental School; that was how it worked in my day,” she recalls. “It sounded like a good idea, so I thought I would apply for dentistry too. Some of those people are still amongst my best friends, so I guess it was a real sliding doors moment.” She considered it a real honour when she was then invited to return to university to undertake her speciality.
“As an under-graduate I had always been interested in the problem solving and biological complexities of periodontics,” she recalls.
“Then when you add in the need for excellent hand skills, surgical procedures as well as the psychology of managing chronic disease, it becomes one of the most fascinating areas of dentistry with a significant cross over into systemic health.”
Melanie will be presenting The Halitosis Pathosis: Diagnosis, Prognosis and More, along with Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen in June to discuss all things orally odorous. They will cover what a dental professional should know in this interactive lecture on the causes of halitosis, pseudohalitosis, possible systemic
contributors, further investigations required, and red flags. They will conclude by summarising their best management tips for this condition.
“Everyone suffers from halitosis occasionally, but for some people it can be persistent, debilitating and socially embarrassing,” Melanie says. “Hopefully participants will take away how to approach the subject with patients, without embarrassment, know the biological factors to look for and then when to start considering it might be something else."
Melanie is a seasoned lecturer and says as someone with a deep passion for periodontics, people with passion generally love to talk about their topic. “I also accept that I can’t treat every patient,” she adds. “If I can inspire other health professionals to know what to look for and simple things to teach their patients to prevent or minimise disease, then it’s better for everyone. Periodontics can be a very dry subject, until you start deep diving. Coming up with creative ways to communicate how to understand the diagnosis and management of periodontal disease is a challenge I greatly enjoy. It’s always motivating when I see lecture attendees engaging because they hear a fresh approach to a supposedly dry topic.”
Melanie says she loves connecting with patients, engaging them in the diagnostic process and planning
Prior to the upcoming ‘Halitosis Pathosis: Diagnosis, Prognosis and More’ dinner course, we caught up with specialist Periodontist, Dr Melanie McAlpine.
what that particular individual needs to work towards their own health. “I believe in personalised periodontal programs, and for patients to be the master of their own health with support from a hand-selected team of trusted professionals,” she adds. “Right from the initial consultation, the patient has to know that I am on their side, without judgement. Each patient has an inherent susceptibility to periodontal disease; it is not all their fault. We aim to give patients hope, as well as maintain a comfortable and functional dentition for life. It’s definitely a team sport though!”
As well as running her private practice, and a busy lecturing schedule, Melanie is an active member in local and federal societies, including the Australian Society of Periodontology, The Royal College of Dental Surgeons, and Women in Dentistry. When asked how she juggles her commitments, she says not very well. “There are a lot of balls, constantly in the air and sometimes one or two get dropped, usually my family and friends,” she says. “I have a mental exercise where I literally ‘switch hats’ between work and home and the gym and socialising, but the boundaries are not always firm enough."
Melanie also volunteers with Healing Smiles and encourages others to give back as well. “The women who put together the Healing Smiles program have created an extraordinary opportunity,” she says. “The extensive work that has gone on behind the scenes is unseen and impossible to comprehend. Creating the framework for referral, treatment and administration is a huge undertaking that has been done very well. The best
patient outcomes will be achieved if we use the resources that are available, rather than reinventing the experience every time we do pro bono work. The least I can do is support the program to ensure its success, and contribute some of my knowledge, skills and time to those less fortunate. I’d like to leave the world in a better place and contribute something to society as a whole, rather than focus solely on what’s good for me.”
When asked about her future plans, Melanie says the last few years have been difficult. “It’s going to be a time of practice growth as we are chronically understaffed,” she says. “I’m looking forward to engaging another hygienist and teaching them to be part of a specialist periodontal practice. My assistants could also do with some assistance. I am also the regional co-ordinator for the International Team for Implantology (ITI) so we have a very exciting year ahead bringing back interstate and international lecturers. I’m currently in the process of streamlining the program and hope to see a greater contribution to implant education from specialists using the existing educational frameworks and resources. The study clubs are a fabulous way to interact openly in small group discussion, whilst the larger evening seminars will be bringing in lecturers not seen before in Perth.
“Most importantly I need to focus on creating time for my own mental and physical health so I can support my family through the high school years,’ she adds. "I’m sure we will have plenty of ups and downs, but if I’m not OK, I can’t help anyone else.”
What three words best describe you?
Passionate. Ethical. Extroverted-introvert.
If you weren’t in the dentistry field, what would you do for a living?
I don’t really know that there is any better combination of art and science, psychology, medicine, teaching and learning that provides a good income, than Periodontics. I’m extremely lucky to have landed where I did, and the opportunities are still endless. In my fantasy life though, I’d be the captain of a superyacht or a snowboard instructor.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
You will generally find me down a remote 4WD track in my bathers and bare feet, with all my cameras and an emergency bottle of wine in the boot of the car. Or I might be on a snowboard, underwater, on a boat, basically anywhere that people are not.
What is your favourite book?
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I still love the story, but I’m also motivated by the thought that no matter what is behind you, kindness, hope and growth can still be part of your future.
Is there anything people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m into Olympic weightlifting. I hope I can manage a 100kg deadlift later this year. I don’t have enough time to commit to the sport to really progress, but it builds incredible shoulder stability, thoracic mobility and keeps me “work fit”. The really surprising thing is how many different pairs of shoes I have bought to support my “habit”.
The Halitosis Pathosis: Diagnosis, Prognosis and More, presented by Drs Melanie McAlpine and Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen, will be held at University Club on June 29. For further information or to book your seat, visit adawa.com.au/product/halitosis
I have come to accept that you can’t do everything perfectly all the time. As soon as you understand that and give yourself permission to drop the occasional ball, the juggle becomes easier. Being honest with the people around you about where you’re at is also key to making it through. The hardest part is making sure I look after me.”
April 28 FRI Oral Medicine Rojak
Drs Amanda Phoon Nguyen & Tom Huang Carlton Holtel, Singapore MAY 3 WED ADAWA General Meeting
ADA House
4 THUR Updates in Cariology
Dr Jilen Patel University Club
5 FRI Restore My First Implant
Drs Graham Carmichael and Glen Liddelow
The Brånemark Center
6 SAT
11 THUR
Practicing Safe and Efficient Endodontics for Long-Term Success
Dr Gaurav Vasudeva
UWA Dental School
A Dinner with POP!
Dr Crofton Daniels, Dr Wendy Gill, Dr Brendon Joyce University Club
13 SAT Socket and Ridge Preservation
Drs Leticia Algarves Miranda and Mahnaz Syed
ADA House
19 FRI Smart Brain – Nutrition Workshop
Ms Julie Meek
ADA House 20
Simple Predictable Posterior Composite Restorations
Dr Michael Chan
UWA Dental School
Dr Ken Wan
Drs Paul Gorgolis & Asheen Behari
23 FRI Simplified Clinical Endodontics
29 THUR
july 1 SAT
W/Professor Paul Abbott
UWA Dental School
The Halitosis Pathosis: Diagnosis, Prognosis & More
Drs Amanda Phoon Nguyen & Melanie McAlpine University Club
Minimally Traumatic Tooth Removal and Socket Preservation
Dr Luan Ngo & Dr Cindy Nguyen
UWA Dental School
2 SUN Crown Lengthening for the General Dentist
Dr Luan Ngo & Dr Cindy Nguyen
ADA House
5 WED ADAWA General Meeting
6 THUR
8 SAT
21 FRI
ADA House
Silver Diamine Fluoride: Use vs Abuse
Dr Jilen Patel University Club
Restorative Rubber Dam
Drs Bec Penco, Greg Crane and Maheer Shah
UWA Dental School
Hands-On Extraction
Professors Raymond Williams & Dieter Gebauer
CTEC UWA
22 SAT Stress Management
August
4 FRI
5 SAT
Ms Alex Hof
ADA House
Anxiety Control in the Dental Practice
Dr Steven Parker
UWA Dental School
Anxiety Control in the Dental Practice
Dr Steven Parker
UWA Dental School
11 FRI Restore My First Implant
Drs Graham Carmichael & Glen Liddelow
The Brånemark Center
Innovation in Virtual Implant Treatment Planning and Guided Implant Surgery
Dr Adam Hamilton University Club 21
W/Professor Paul Abbott Hilton Garden Inn, Albany
Porcelain Veneers & Ceramic Onlayss
Drs Paul Gorgolis & Asheen Behari UWA Dental School
Restorative Driven Ortho Dinner
Drs Steven Naoum, Tom Elliot and Han Oh University Club
24 FRI Surgical Draping in the Dental Office
Dr Roslyn Franklin & Ms Yvonne Fletcher UWA Dental School
6.5 CPD
Friday 4 August 2023
Registration from 8.45 am
Course 9 am to 5 pm
UWA Dental School
17 Monash Ave Nedlands
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea
$ 1,152 inc gst
MEMBERS
Many of our patients are quite anxious about seeking and receiving dental treatment. In fact, it may lead to some people avoiding dental care completely until excruciating pain gives them no choice. Dentists should be able to provide alternatives to control a patient’s anxiety and to assist them to receive treatment.
This course will cover a spectrum of anxiety-relieving alternatives. It will give the caring dentist a selection of anxiolytic techniques that can be offered to their patients, including psychosedation, oral sedation and inhalation sedation.
All participants will have the opportunity to administer and experience the full range of effects of relative analgesia using nitrous oxide-oxygen, and after completing the course, will feel confident in setting up and administering this agent.
Topics include:
• The basics of fear and anxiety in the dental office
• The utilisation of psychosedation & hypnotic techniques
Learning objectives:
• Review of basic life support
• The utilisation of oral sedation
• The utilisation of nitrous oxide sedation
• Gain an understanding of the key causes of fear and anxiety in our patients
• Understand basic psychosedation techniques and be able to apply them
• Revise basic life support
• Understand pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, advantages/ disadvantages, indications/contra-indications of oral sedation and feel confident utilising it in your practice
• Understand pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, advantages/ disadvantages, indications/contra-indications of nitrous oxide sedation and feel confident utilising it in your practice
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Dr Steven Parker completed his Dental Degree (with honours) at the University of Queensland in 1985. He has since completed postgraduate diplomas in both oral surgery (Otago University 1997) and sedation and pain control (University of Sydney 2000). He has also completed qualifications in finance and law. Steven operates a referralbased oral surgical practice in Sydney where he provides treatment under general anaesthesia, intra-venous sedation, inhalation sedation and local anaesthesia. Steven has been involved in post-graduate training and continuing education for over two decades and has lectured widely throughout Australia and overseas. He is a director on the boards of ADANSW, Filling the Gap charity and Lakeview Private Hospital and sits on the Dental Therapeutics committee.
Western Australia Dental Update
Join Dr Nabil Khzam at the 2023 Dental Update conference at ADA House on SUNDAY 18 JUNE 2023
9:00am - 5:00pm
PRESENTED BY:
Dr Janice Kan
Evolution from All on 4 to AUDENTES –
Instant final full arch implant bridge at implant surgery
Dr Nabil Khzam
Lasers in Periodontics
Professor Camile Farah
Real-time digital biopsy: Endless possibilities
Dr Tim Silbert
A Simple Diagnositc Matrix and Tips and Tricks to make your endodontic treament easier
Dr Lee Kaing
Dentoalveolor Surgery: Clinical cases and discussion
RSVP TO reportsnkperio@gmail.com
ENDOD ONTIC STUDY CLUB FOR P RACTITION ERS IN PERTH
Join us for an evening of conversation with Dr Stephen Kwang on some interesting endodontic cases along with any of your clinical experiences you would like to discuss
This study club is exclusive to dentists in Perth wishing to further their knowledge on the biological basis of endodontic therapy.
CPD = 1 hour
6:30pm, Friday 14 July 2023
Venue: Floreat Endodontics Unit 3, 434 Cambridge St. FLOREAT WA 6014
Please RSVP by 30 June 2023 via email: studyclub@floreatendo.com.au
Parking available on site
COURSE OUTLINE
This course will cover the practicalities of every day oral surgery – from extractions to impactions, breakages to biopsies, instrument and suture selection, exposures and closure of oro-antral communications.
TOPICS INCLUDE
• Clinical and radiographic assessment
• Instrumentation and technique
• Extraction of teeth, roots and wisdom teeth
• Biopsy techniques
• Oro antral fistula repair
• Exposure of teeth
• Suture types, techniques and uses
• Optimising post-operative pain control
6.5 CPD Friday 13 October 2023
Registration from 8.45 am Course 9 am to 5 pm
ADA House 54-58 Havelock Street, West Perth
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea
$ 704 inc gst MEMBERS
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Dr Barbara Woodhouse is a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery from Queensland. Barbara has presented numerous courses across Australia and has a great passion for teaching her speciality.
Dr Woodhouse regularly travels overseas to extend her skills and training and is the Chair of an NGO affiliated with the International Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, which coordinates the supply of surgical expertise to Bangladesh, PNG, Cambodia, and Vanuatu; and initiates and supports training programmes for local surgeons in these areas. Dr Woodhouse has been awarded the University of Queensland’s Vice Chancellor’s Award of Excellence for teaching, and a Distinguished Service Award from the Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
ADAWA works closely with a number of partners and affiliates, resulting in strong relationships with like-minded organisations and associations. We also work with partners to provide member benefits for ADAWA members, including discounts on advantageous products and services.
Access unique and accurate dental images for your presentations and all your practice marketing via Dental Stock Photos. ADAWA members are eligible for a 20% discount off the Recommended Retail Price to purchase photographs. Go to dentalstockphotos.com/pages/ada-wa-members-information to find out more.
Bunnings Trade and ADAWA are delighted to announce a partnership which gives you the opportunity to join the PowerPass Membership Program. To sign up or link your existing PowerPass account, please contact OrganisationsWA@bunnings.com.au
Local company WA Energy is stepping up to offer ADAWA members big discounts on dental practice energy bills. ADAWA members are eligible for new energy pricing and to have smart solar installed for $0 upfront. Email
ADAWA wants to support your practice with an easy to use and easy to implement system that enables you to manage your supply ordering and stock hassle-free. That’s why you’ll get 10% off Invedent as an ADAWA member. Visit invedent.com
ADA members are eligible to receive up to $2,000^ cashback on top of the cashback offer from the bank or lender (if eligible) on home loans successfully settled between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.
Phone 1800 262 346 or email info@amafinance.com.au to find out more.
As one of ADAWA's valued corporate partners, ONDA provide timesaving services to our members, which are tailored to the busy dental professional. Until the end of the financial year, ONDA are offering our members a 15% discount on all new sign-ups to their financial admin services.
Contact george@ondagroup.com.au to book your free consultation.
Boutique commercial property company, VPG Property, is partnering with ADAWA to look after our members’ business and personal property needs. VPG Property is offering a free initial property consult to ADAWA members. vpgproperty.com.au
The Western Australia (WA) Department of Health has issued an alert due to the increase in syphilis notifications, and the state-wide rate of infectious syphilis doubled between 2018 and 2022. Syphilis can be challenging to diagnose because of its varied presentations and has often been described as the “great imitator.” Dental and health professionals involved in oral care need to be aware that syphilis can present in the oral cavity.
Communities at risk include:
• People experiencing homelessness
• People who use methamphetamine and/or inject drugs
• Aboriginal people
• Culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) people
• Women of reproductive age
• Men who have sex with men (MSM)
Clinically, syphilis may present at one of three stages: primary, secondary and tertiary syphilis. Each can have different clinical presentations and infectivity (Syphilis - STI Guidelines Australia). Oral lesions may occur at any of the three main stages of the clinical course.
The mouth can be the site of primary syphilis, particularly with the rise in oral sexual activity. A chancre, a painless, indurated ulcer at the site of inoculation, characteristically develops within one to four weeks of acquisition after an incubation period. There may be accompanying regional lymphadenopathy. Typical sites include the lips, buccal mucosa or the tongue (Figure 1). Chancres may resolve without treatment.
The features of secondary syphilis reflect the hematogenous spread of T. pallidum, and typically appear four to six weeks after the primary event. The oral manifestations of secondary syphilis can be more extensive and/ or variable than those of the primary disease (Minicucci et al. 2013) and arise in at least 25-30% of patients with secondary syphilis (Carbone et al. 2015, Leao et al. 2006).
Systemic symptoms include malaise, fatigue, fever, headache and a hallmark rash, which is classically a maculopapular rash diffusely involving the trunk and extremities including the palms and soles (Figure 2; Carbone et al, 2015). Condyloma lata (white gray mucous patches) are mainly found in the genital or anal area in 5–22% of patients (Ficarra and Carlos 2009).
Syphilis, caused by the bacterial spirochaete Treponema pallidum, is an infectious disease on the rise.
Multiple ulcerative lesions of the hard and soft palate have been observed (Minicucci et al. 2013) as well as the tongue, gingiva and lips (Porto Matias et al. 2020). Other oral cavity manifestations can include macular or papular lesions and mucous patches.
In about one third of patients with untreated syphilis, long-term complications develop (Ficarra and Carlos 2009). The oral complications of tertiary syphilis include gumma formation, and much more rarely, syphilitic leukoplakia. Gummas tend to arise on the hard palate and tongue, although very rarely they may occur on the soft palate, lower dental alveolus, and parotid gland (Minicucci et al. 2013).
The diagnosis of syphilis may require a knowledge of the patient’s sexual history, physical examination, and an interpretation of serological and microbiological findings. A biopsy may not be required. The patient should promptly be referred to their medical practitioner for investigation and management or referred to a specimen collection centre for a syphilis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab and syphilis serology.
Testing for other pathogens may be warranted (e.g. herpes simplex virus; HSV). Ensure the patient’s medical
practitioner or primary healthcare provider receives a copy of the results, as treatment and contact tracing will be required rapidly, if the result is positive. Re-infection can occur so contact tracing is essential and sexual partners need testing and treatment. Syphilis is a nationally notifiable disease, so the local public health unit (https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/ Articles/A_E/Contact-details-forpopulation-public-health-units) may provide the patient’s medical practitioner with support for contact tracing in certain circumstances.
Management by a medical doctor usually requires a long-acting penicillin and may include desensitisation if the person has a penicillin allergy.
Infectious syphilis (infection within 2 years i.e. primary, secondary, early latent)
Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin® L-A) injection - 2.4 million units IM stat
Notes on medication
• Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin® L-A) is different from benzylpenicillin (BenPen®) and procaine penicillin (Cilicaine®). Must ensure correct formulation is given.
• Benzathine benzylpenicillin injection comes as 1.2 million units in a 2.3mL single use pre-filled syringe.
• Two vials are required for each dose.
• Benzathine benzylpenicillin (Bicillin® L-A) is available in the Doctor’s Bag. (https://www.pbs.gov.au/browse/doctorsbag)
*If allergic to penicillin or if tertiary syphilis is suspected, please refer to the Silver Book or obtain advice from a sexual health or infectious diseases specialist.
Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen
Oral Medicine Specialist, amanda@pomds.com.au
Dr Suzanne McEvoy, MBBS (Hons), MAppEpid, PhD, FAFPHM
Public Health Physician, Metropolitan Communicable Disease Control, North Metropolitan Health Service, Perth WA, suzanne.mcevoy@health.wa.gov.au
Further Reading
https://sti.guidelines.org.au/sexuallytransmissible-infections/syphilis/
Leão JC, Gueiros LA, Porter SR. Oral manifestations of syphilis. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2006 Apr;61(2):161-6. doi: 10.1590/s180759322006000200012. Epub 2006 Apr 25. PMID: 16680334.
Leuci S, Martina S, Adamo D, Ruoppo E, Santarelli A, Sorrentino R, Favia G, Mignogna M. Oral Syphilis: a retrospective analysis of 12 cases and a review of the literature. Oral Dis. 2013 Nov;19(8):738-46. doi: 10.1111/odi.12058. Epub 2013 Jan 7. PMID: 23294141.
Extracted natural teeth, including Upper Molars, Lower Molars and especially Upper Anterior natural teeth are needed for the production of Student Endodontic models for 2023 and WA Dental CPD endodontic courses.
The teeth will need to be saved in saline or bleach and can be dropped off when attending events at ADA House or OHCWA (marked for OPTECH). Alternatively, arrangements can be made for their collection. For further details, please contact Christine Ludgwick | OHCWA
christine.ludgwick@uwa.edu.au 08 6457 7679
Dr Jenny Ball | ADAWA jenny@adawa.com.au 0419 044 549
An initiative aimed at improving the long-term health outcomes of young children in the Central Great Southern by improving their dental health commenced in March.
The Central Great Southern – Child Health Project (Dental Health and Food Security) program, which has been several years in planning, provides dental screening, preventive dental treatment and referrals for all children aged 0-4 years of age.
The dental screening is undertaken by paediatric dental specialist, Dr Jilen Patel and dental students from The University of Western Australia. Early dental treatment
and prevention was completed locally while children requiring major treatment were referred for hospital care. The program has been made possible via the Early Years Partnership, a 10-year partnership between the State Government (Departments of Communities, Health and Education) and Minderoo Foundation, with funding primarily sourced from Minderoo Foundation and Rural Health West.
During the inaugural visit held 13-18 March, 183 children were screened at local day care centres, primary schools, playgrounds and community meeting places.
The majority of the children had not previously visited a dentist. The program not only enabled dental checks but allowed the families to ask questions around dental health, tooth-brushing, nutrition and dental development.
Central Great Southern Early Years Partnership Local Working Party Co-Chair Jo Webb said good oral health can have a significant long term positive impact on the health and wellbeing of children.
“Locally, the rate of 0-4 year olds hospitalised for oral disease is 2.85 times higher than the State average and a high rate of early childhood caries have been observed by people working with young children in our community.
“Conversely, none of our local dentists specialise in paediatric dental care. This project helps close the gap between local needs and available care.”
Under the project, the dental team will visit Central Great Southern communities three
times this year and has funding for 18 months. The dental team is also trialling the use of tele-dentistry by taking photos of the teeth of participating children on a purpose-built app to help plan and coordinate treatment. It is hoped this will provide an effective method of early identification of dental issues.
At the next visit, the team will also train local health staff and families in taking photos for ongoing review, which will help build local capacity and pave the way for the program to become a long-term, sustainable service.
“Jilen’s enthusiasm and passion for this program has been pivotal. Not only has his passion made the program possible, his manner with the children made them and their families very comfortable during the screening process.
“He was willing to see children as they played; on slides, on playground equipment; performing magic tricks to help put them at ease.”
In addition to the screening, the team addressed minor dental issues, such as applying fluoride treatments and sealing deep grooves in teeth at risk of developing decay. These procedures were undertaken
“We’ve received some wonderful feedback from local families following the first visit; which is testament to the collaborative effort that has gone into creating a service that meets the unique needs of this community".
in parks, playgrounds or in the Katanning Primary School dental clinic, which was made accessible thanks to the Department of Education and the School Dental Service.
The participating dental students also benefited from their involvement through gaining experience with the 0-4 age group, seeing a variety of dental health conditions, as well as gaining exposure to rural practice and the sense of community in country WA.
Rural Health West Deputy CEO Kelli Porter said many rural communities across Western Australia experienced issues accessing dental care.
“As with many other health professions, rural WA has a shortage of appropriately qualified dentists. However, unlike medicine, nursing and allied health, there are few opportunities for dental students to gain exposure to working in a country town.
“We are extremely pleased to be a partner in this initiative – not just for the benefit of the children and families, but also for the participating students who have gained invaluable practical and social experience in these wonderful communities.”
The project also encompassed health promotion aimed at addressing food insecurity issues within the community.
“Anecdotally, food insecurity is an issue for many local families. The past few years have been particularly tough, with many families feeling the impact of inflation on the cost of fresh produce and other groceries.” The health promotion aspect of this program aims to help families develop a better understanding of nutrition and dental health.
“Overall, the program has been the result of excellent collaboration between many local organisations and our metropolitan partners.”
Families were supported to attend the program by community connectors from Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation, WA Country Health Service Great Southern including Great Southern Aboriginal Health and the Primary and Population Health teams, Smart Start Great Southern and South West Aboriginal Medicine Service.
Dr Asheen Behari from Kojonup Dentist kindly donated toothbrushes and toothpaste for children screened under the program.
The initiative is also supported by Telethon Kids Institute and Amity Health.
Ordering dental supplies and managing inventory have long been a burden for dental practices. These time-consuming, repetitive manual processes can cost practices hundreds of hours per year, which appears to be a considerable waste of resources and dollars.
The benefits of automation are straightforward, including connecting practices with suppliers in one place
and reducing workloads for dental staff. It can be a real differentiator for the practice’s bottom line.
A dental ordering and stock management system such as Invedent allows dental professionals to reassess how they approach purchasing and inventory and grants them more control over their spending and budget.
Many practices overstock to be safe; however, expired supplies waste money. With Invedent, you always know what you need to order and in what quantity, so you avoid purchasing more than you need.
Invedent saves you from having to make multiple phone calls or shopping around between multiple websites. The system brings all suppliers in one place, for an easier and more enjoyable shopping experience.
Invedent has organised special discounts with selected suppliers helping you get the best possible prices on the items you need.
With Invedent, anyone in the practice can manage ordering and stock. This means that if a staff member gets sick, goes on holiday
or even leaves, someone else in the clinic can do the job without extensive training or experience.
With Invedent, you can save up to 8 hours a week by eliminating manual counts and streamlining the processes of tracking and ordering supplies.
The system allows you to instantly check your inventory levels in real time, so you know exactly what items need to be ordered before running out of stock.
Having all the necessary supplies always available can ultimately lead to a better patient experience and improved outcomes. More information about Invedent can be found at www.invedent.com
Paying workers incorrect wages may result in reputational damage to a practice, disgruntled workers, workplace distrust, as well as fines and penalties. Understanding what wage theft is, how it may occur, and best practice approaches to rectifying potential underpayments are outlined within this article.
Wage theft can take various forms including the deliberate underpayment of wages, deliberately withholding entitlements such as leave or penalty rates, intentionally not making required superannuation contributions to an employee’s nominated fund or making unauthorised deductions from an employee’s wages.
In contrast, wage theft may occur unintentionally. Common mistakes that can lead to wage theft may include:
• Ignorance of specific changes to Awards. This may include transitional rates, minimum wage increases, and changes to penalty rates.
• Failing to properly implement changes to payroll rules when a new Award term or Enterprise Agreement has begun to operate.
• Consideration of shift loadings that may be applicable.
• Confusion as to the interpretation and/ or interactions of Award or Enterprise Agreement terms.
• Confusion as to which Award or Enterprise Agreement applies.
• Employment contracts that are noncompliant with the Award or Enterprise
Agreement. Examples of this may include paying employees a loaded rate that does not appropriately absorb all penalties and entitlements that the employee may be eligible to receive.
• Rostering beyond the Award or Enterprise Agreement span of hours to meet patient needs, without properly satisfying Award or Enterprise Agreement facilitative provisions.
A recent case example of an employer facing criminal prosecution for wage theft is that of Rehmat & Mehar Pty Ltd (trading as The Macedon Lounge). The Victorian restaurant is facing criminal wage theft charges laid under the Victorian Wage Theft Act 2020.
This is the first instance of criminal wage theft charges to be laid under the Victorian Wage Theft Act 2020, and the first in any Australian jurisdiction.
It is alleged that the restaurant and its owner intentionally withheld over $7,000 in employee entitlements, including wages, penalty rates, and superannuation, from multiple staff members. A number of charges have been brought against the business by the Wage Inspectorate Victoria, an independent watchdog established in 2021 with powers to investigate and prosecute cases of wage theft. Prosecution may result in a sentence of up to 10 years in jail under the Victorian Wage Theft Act (Act) for the business owner, while the business itself may be faced with fines in excess of $1 million.
Whether intentional or not, wage theft is a serious matter that can have unfavourable impacts on employees and can cause detriment to practices.
Victoria and Queensland currently have in force legislation that specifically criminalises wage theft. The Wage Theft Act 2020 (Vic) and the Criminal Code and Other Legislation (Wage Theft) Amendment Act 2020 (Qld) provide that employers may serve jail time for wage theft or may be presented with substantial fines and penalties were found to be deliberately underpaying workers or withholding entitlements.
In any instance, wage theft should be avoided in all cases as failure to provide correct payments can result in on-the-spot fines for practices and individuals, legal action, unfavourable media attention and reputational damage.
Prevention of wage theft is always more favourable than needing to rectify an issue later down the track. Best practice tips to ensure avoidance of wage theft include ensuring payroll systems are up to date and operating in accordance with any modern awards that may be applicable to employees within the practice (namely, the Health Professionals and Support Services
Award 2020). Practice management should remain vigilant to any award amendments, including increases to award rates of pay, penalties or allowances. Changes to the national minimum wage should also be taken into consideration for any non-awardcovered workers. It should be noted that changes to minimum rates of pay are often applicable as of 1 July each year. Practices may consider completing an internal payroll audit to assess whether payments are compliant. Payslips should be provided within one working day of employees being paid and should include correct information to ensure transparency and compliance. Annual wage reviews should be completed. Where potential underpayments may have occurred, practices should seek to inform workers as soon as possible via formal correspondence. The practice should assess how much employees were entitled to be paid in comparison to how much they were actually paid. Back payments should be organised as soon as practicable and communicated with employees. Workers should be informed when they will receive the correct payments.
For more information on this article please call the ADA HR Advisory Service on 1300 232 462.
In 2013, car-makers around the world discovered certain airbags produced by now-defunct Japanese company Takata could degrade over time, causing the airbag to blast metal shrapnel from its inflator when deployed in a crash.
It is estimated 100 million cars from more than two dozen brands originally fitted with certain Takata airbags have been recalled and fixed globally since 2013, although there are still vehicles on the road which have not had their potentially fatal devices replaced. In a media statement, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a driver was killed in Bowling Green, Texas, as a result of their 2002 Honda Accord’s Takata airbag inflator rupturing during a crash.
A media statement issued by Honda’s US division claims it attempted to contact the car’s owner more than 300 times since the recall campaign began, although the airbag was never replaced.
According to Honda, it mailed more than 40 notices to the owner's registered address, made more than 230 phone calls, and sent in excess of 40 email notifications.
The fatality is believed to be the 23rd in the US caused by a defective Takata airbag, among an estimated 35 deaths and 350 serious injuries worldwide. At least two people have been killed in Australia, with the fatal incidents occurring in 2017 and 2019 (Source – Drive.com.au 19 December 2022).
In the day-to-day practice of dentistry we issue risks and warnings all the time – from the relatively inconsequential warning we might issue to frequent poor attenders regarding their attendance/punctuality or they will be charged a non-attendance fee, to the potentially significant warnings we might issue in relation to a high value procedure with known significant material risks. The underlying issue here, of course, is communication, and critically in dental practice this would be the conversation of consent. The Dental Board of Australia Code of Conduct states that “informed consent
is a person’s voluntary decision about healthcare that is made with knowledge and understanding of the benefits and risks involved” (Source: DBA Code of Conduct https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Codeof-conduct/Shared-Code-of-conduct. aspx). This includes financial consent, and the implication is that there is an obligation on the practitioner to ensure the patient has sufficient understanding.
So how should we approach a situation, like the Honda owner in the USA, where we believe that we have communicated the requisite information to gain consent but there is a sense that the patient is either not responding or giving us reason to doubt that they have full understanding?
I would suggest there are 4 key considerations on how to proceed for those times the dashboard warning lights flash but it’s not clear how to proceed. First is to pause, take a metaphorical deep breath and ‘listen’ to your gut instinct as it is probably telling you something important. I took a call recently from a dentist who was treating a patient for whom English was not their first language. The patient had significant bone loss apically around a non-vital lower premolar and wanted to keep their tooth, at least until some, as yet undetermined, time in the future when they were returning to their home country to get definitive treatment. The dentist was trying to explain that the tooth had a poor/nil prognosis, there was a strong suspicion of a root fracture and if the patient was going to spend time and money having a procedure then the dentist wanted a second opinion from an endodontist on the viability of the tooth. The patient declined and despite all risks and warnings being outlined the patient kept asking the dentist to treat the tooth. The patient refused to bring somebody to the appointment who might assist with understanding and even declined an offer of engaging an external translator.
In a discussion like this my points of reference are always to ask if the dentist is acting in the patient’s best interests and if they are able to meet the patient’s expectations. In this case, despite what the patient wanted, for the dentist to carry out root canal treatment on a tooth with a strong suspicion of root fracture, was likely to fail (perhaps catastrophically with a split once the tooth is opened), and cost the (financially sensitive) patient a significant amount of money – a strong objective case could be made that it was neither in the patients interests or likely to meet their expectations. The dentist would also be vulnerable to a potentially critical third party such as the regulator reviewing the information later on and making an adverse finding despite the best intentions of the dentist.
The second consideration is to always try and check understanding. It is not just enough to give a consent form before a procedure, while waiting for the anaesthetic to take, and ask for a signature. Neither is it enough to ask the patient if they understand because they may be embarrassed to say otherwise or just want to get things over to alleviate anxiety around a procedure. With the consent process, particularly if there is complexity, cost or potential for complication, I always ask the patient to give me a quick summary of what their understanding is. This is not requested in the tone of a final year viva exam but as a collaborative discussion where the dentist acknowledges any complexities/jargon and is willing to spend the time and resources to reach mutual understanding with the patient.
The third consideration, which follows from the second is to avail of any means to give alternative explanations. It is known that people respond and learn more
The patient, it seemed, would just not take no for an answer.
effectively by different means – one simple way of classifying is auditory, visual and kinaesthetic. Using these categories means that it is beneficial not just to verbally explain a concept but also to give handouts/video clips and even tactile aids such as demonstration models where a patient can see and feel what a crown or veneer is rather than just attempting a verbal comparison to a ‘cap’ or a ‘false fingernail’. The final consideration is whether there is some reason that the patient does not have capacity to make the necessary decisions to consent to a procedure. Examples of this may be some form of cognitive impairment such as dementia or intoxication, age, or as in the example above the dentist and patient simply may not speak the same language as their primary means of communication.
So where does this leave us as healthcare professionals with the patient for whom we issue ‘300 notifications’ but still something goes wrong, and the patient says they didn’t understand the risks because if they had they would never have gone ahead?
All roads lead back to the records and documentation – if it can be demonstrated that all reasonable attempts were made to gain consent and the patient had capacity and understanding – then as the old adage goes in relation to claims, good records … good defence, poor records … poor defence, no records … no defence.
To close the loop on the automotive analogy, when an accident or adverse event occurs the records are like our airbag – when deployed effectively it will enable us to walk away from the wreckage and continue on our practicing journey relatively unscathed.
The second WADA Golf fixture for the year was held at the Gosnells Golf Club on Friday 24th March. We enjoyed classic Perth Autumn weather with a combination of heat, high humidity and Rain all in the same round of Golf. The course was in excellent condition once more and 23 keen golfers tried to conquer the course.
Scoring for the day was tight for most of the field except for the winner. Congratulations to Rod White for his victory on a fantastic score of 47 stableford points. Brad Potter (HealthLinc sponsor) took second with 35 points on a countback from Hugh Gillespie 3rd and Richard Williams 4th. Craig Lewis and Simon Tee took out 5th and 6th places with credible scores of 34 points.
• 1st Rod White
• 2nd Brad Potter
• 3RD Hugh Gillespie
The day was generously sponsored by Dentsply-Sirona. Leanne Patrick - Clinical Specialist North, from Dentsply joined us for the day. We subsequently enjoyed the company of Dentsply representatives Sarah Ahmedbegyi – Suresmile Manager, Thiya Rajaender – Implant Specialist and for a post-match catch up. Leanne kindly presented the Dentsply winner’s prize to Rod White. Our thanks to Dentsply-Sirona for their ongoing support of WADA Golf.
Nearest the pin prizes for the day, sponsored by our corporate partners.
NTP. 9th hole
NTP. 7th hole
NTP 11th Hole
T.Fenn Health Practice Brokers
M.Whitford Swan Valley Dental Laboratory
M.Whitford Dentsply Sirona
NTP 14th Hole Simon Tee Healthlinc
18th Hole Longest Drive Simon Tee Insight Dental Ceramics
NAGA award for the most golf played today – Jun Liew and Rick Lazar-Hard day at the ‘office’.
Finally, it was terrific to welcome Tom Hastie and Jun Liew as new members to WADA Golf and welcome back after some time Ben Campbell and Phil Robson. I encourage other interested dental golfers to dust off the clubs and join us for our next fixture at Hartfield Golf Club on Friday, 12th May. Good golfing, Frank Welten
WADA Golf Captain Dentistgolf@gmail.com
It has been a time of celebration for the Saeedi family, with Sahara and Sam both getting married recently. A huge congratulations to Sahara and her new husband Ryan, and to Sam and his new wife Ava. If you are recently married, engaged, have a new baby or celebrating a significant milestone, we would love to hear about it! Please email brooke@adawa.com.au
A big congratulations also to Peter Froud and Michael Poli who received their 50-year badges. We will be featuring 50-year reflections from Peter and Michael in a future edition of the Western Articulator
Congratulations to the following members who received their 40-year badges of continuous membership at the March General Meeting: Simon Denney, Robert Donaldson, Shelley Greenway and Kim Noske. Apologies to receive their 40-year badges in person were Eric Chung and James Bayford.
Don’t miss Yoga in the House with Dr Unna Chidambaram on May 23. More dates to be announced soon.
Where: ADA House, 54-58 Havelock St West Perth Time: 7pm
Cost: $10
BYO: Yoga mat
Dr Jenny Ball recently collected a jar full of extracted natural teeth from Rostrata Dental Clinic. Thank you, Dr Pannu! Extracted natural teeth are still needed for Student Endodontic Models and WA Dental CPD endodontic courses. For details contact Jenny Ball, jenny@adawa.com.au
The New Practitioner Program Study Clubs of 2023 are off to a great start! It has been fantastic seeing so many recent grads coming to learn and network at ADA House. The next NPP Study Club will be on May 24 with Dr Ken Wan presenting ‘Exodontia for the General Practitioner. Avoiding pitfalls and strategies for success’.
Dr Jessica Kong - new addition to the team
Victoria Park Orthodontics is delighted to announce Specialist Orthodontist Dr Jessica Kong has joined Dr Frank Furfaro, Dr Angela Ross and Dr Christophe Duigou in our modern and newly expanded specialist orthodontic practice. Dr Jessica Kong is now accepting referrals for all aspects of orthodontic care, from early interceptive treatment to adult orthodontics.
We are pleased to announce that Specialist Periodontist Dr Anchalee Jennings-Lowe has joined Vision Periodontics. She is accepting referrals for all aspects of periodontics and implant surgery.
T +61 9361 0022
E reception@vicparkortho.com.au
A Level 1, 734 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park 6101
W vicparkortho.com.au
T (08) 6430 0333
E admin@visionperiodontics.com.au
A Unit 1/26 Charles Street, South Perth
W visionperiodontics.com.au
Dr Shahrzad Nazari is pleased to announce the opening of her new practice TEETHBYTWO-Endodontist Perth in the City of Perth. She will gratefully accept referrals for all aspects of Root canal treatments, including complicated RCT cases, Re-RCTs, traumatic injuries, root resorption and root-end surgeries.
T (08) 6118 4508
E info@teethbytwo.com
A Units 9-10, Level 1, 251 Adelaide Terrace Perth
W teethbytwo.com
Specialist Orthodontist, Dr Luke Chow is pleased to announce the opening of his start-up practice, ‘Inspire Orthodontics’ located in Floreat. He provides individualised orthodontics for children, teens and adults. Accepting new patient referrals, please email for business cards or referral pads.
T +61 457 253 102
E smile@inspireorthodontics.com.au
A 3/434 Cambridge St Floreat
W inspireorthodontics.com.au
Dr Laura Leask - new addition to the team
Smile Time Orthodontics are pleased to welcome Dr Laura Leask to the specialist team.
FREMANTLE
T (08) 9335 4031
E Fremantle@smiletime.com.au
A 45 Quarry Street, Fremantle
MT HAWTHORN
T (08) 9443 6188
E Fremantle@smiletime.com.au
A Unit 2/187 Scarborough Bch Rd, Mt Hawthorn
W smiletime.com.au
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