Thank you, Dr Martin Glick

After more than a decade as the Dental Health Services Representative on ADAWA Council, Dr Martin Glick has retired.

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 your time on Council?

A main highlight was the way in which the ADAWA Council and Executive worked with DHS during the COVID pandemic. There was a significant body of work done by many people to assist those practitioners in private practice and DHS to understand what the COVID rules were at any 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?

I have a number of things that are on my list to start.

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?

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.

Gone are the aged and cracked phantom heads – The Clinical Skills Simulation Laboratory has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, with 71 phantom heads installed (replacing 56 phantom heads installed in 2001), under the tender of Dentsply.

“The CSSL refurbishment is an innovative, signature project that supports the UWA Dental School's strategic plan aligning with two current priorities set by the Vice-Chancellor, namely ‘The future of learning at UWA’ and ‘The UWA Student Learning Experience’.”

“The new CSSL will facilitate advancing academic excellence, promoting worldclass, technology-rich, hands-on learning, and enhancing the dental students’ clinical skills says Associate Professor Robert Anthonappa. “In addition, it will increase clinical efficiency, and notably, enhance the students learning experience within a competency-based pedagogy.”

Helping to future-proof the Dental School

Dean and Head of School/Director of OHCWA, Professor Hien Ngo, says the CSSL allows the Dental School to be viable into the future.

“Since the inception of OHCWA there has been a physical cap of 56 students per year,” he explains. “All dental schools in the Go8 University would be much larger than that (around 100 students in the Eastern States). This will allow the UWA Dental School to expand class size to 70 by bringing in 14 extra full-fee paying international students.”

He adds larger cohorts mean OHCWA can provide more services to the underserved communities in WA. Additionally, extra DMD students will also mean the School will be able to grow their DCD (Specialist) training program. DMD student, Ranundi De Silva, says there are standout features of the new clinic. “The convenience with the new phantom heads is a personal favourite addition of mine, especially with the automatic suction that you can enable,” he says. “The closer replication to the ground floor clinic with the set-up for handpieces and light mirroring the GF clinic makes the transition between the simulation clinic and real clinic much smoother,” he adds.

The generosity of others

Professor Ngo thanks all the donors who have contributed to date, especially the Western Australian Dental Foundation for driving the campaign, Associate Professor Mithran Goonewardene, Dental Cases Panel Pty Ltd, Delta Sigma Delta WA Graduate Chapter, Dental Unicon WA (Inc), Dental Study Group and new fellows of the WA Dental Foundation Dr Abhishek Singh, Dr Minh Dien Tran, Dr Meredith Arcus, Dr Ajitha Kanupuru, Dr Janina Christoforou, Dr Amit Gurbuxani, The Honourable Dr John Day and Dr Lahiru Chandraweera. ADAWA was also a donor.

“Although the facility is now operational, there is still an opportunity for members of the dental community to contribute to the project, in advance of the official opening,” says Dr John Day, Patron, Clinical Skills Simulation Laboratory Project, Western Australian Dental Foundation. “When students enter this room, they will see the names of the individuals and organisations who have contributed to support their skill development and will warmly welcome them into the profession as colleagues. I particularly encourage fellow dental graduates, who have benefited from being a member of the profession, to assist in leaving a legacy at the University for students of the future.”

For queries or to discuss making a contribution, contact:

+61 8 6488 4591, development@uwa.edu.au

To donate online, visit giving.uwa.edu.au and follow the prompts.

When Dr Emma Lewis received an email in 2021 from Dr Jacinta Vu requesting specialist volunteers join Healing Smiles, Emma was happy to reply to say she would be willing to help.

“I have always enjoyed volunteer work and have fortunately had the opportunity to be involved with other organisations including treating cleft lip/palate patients in the Philippines, general oral surgery for patients in Nicaragua and Alachua County in Florida, as well as more recently alongside a multidisciplinary team in Cambodia. It is a real privilege to help people in this way and seems a natural choice with the qualifications we have worked hard to obtain."

“I find the work extremely rewarding,” she adds. “It is not only providing the oral and maxillofacial surgery itself but problem solving with the challenges that you often faced with such as language barriers, equipment and environmental situations.”

So far, the treatment Emma has provided for Healing Smiles patients has been mainly extractions. “One particular patient required multiple extractions as part of her overall treatment plan – all of which were difficult and required a surgical approach,” she says. “The treatment required a couple of visits so the fact she returned for her treatment is always encouraging!”

Emma says she often responds better to last minute calls for help to treat Healing Smiles patients, which Sandra Wood (Healing Smiles Volunteerism Coordinator) understands. “As a surgeon, we are brought up making last-minute decisions and squeezing people in; it is not unusual to have a day’s plan change several times.

HIF Corporate Program

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"I have also provided advice regarding impacted teeth, possible facial fractures and medical-related questions.”

When asked about the feedback received from Healing Smiles patients, Emma says they are always grateful and humble. “Our work is often one aspect to their overall care and so we may only treat them the one time,” she adds. “This may be at a real low point for them, especially if they are in pain or having to lose teeth unexpectedly.

“The nice thing about being part of a group like this, is that often we will receive feedback through the other treating members and Sandra is also very good at keeping us informed. Whilst we may all provide the treatment in our various offices, this is when you really feel like you are part of team accomplishing a common goal to help these patients in need.”

To other specialists considering volunteering, Emma encourages them to put up their hand. “Volunteering is highly rewarding and made easy when part of a great organisation such as Healing Smiles,” she says. “The key is having a person such as Sandra, who is the glue to keeping the process in motion and coordinated. The work would also not be possible without the help and support from my office team.

I think it would be fair to say that we all live busy lives and often putting your hand up to be involved can be quite daunting with thoughts of where it will fit in.

“I really believe in the adage: ‘the more you do, the more you can do’. Helping people is in our nature and what we are good at, so it’s a no-brainer to me!”

For more details about volunteering with Healing Smiles, email healingsmileswa@gmail.com

Meet Dr Luan Ngo

We are lucky to have a new speaker join WA Dental CPD’s 2023 program – respected periodontist from Melbourne Dental School, Dr Luan Ngo, who will be travelling to Perth in July to present two hands-on courses.

Graduating with honours from the University of Melbourne, Luan worked in General Dentistry for three years when he was looking for a challenge and periodontics was the perfect fit.

“I ended up starting an MPhil, which turned into a PhD,” he recalls. “My PhD topic was very much perio related, so it was a natural progression to then specialise. I really do enjoy non-surgical therapy. It’s very therapeutic to watch the calculus come off teeth.

“I love the mix of (for me at least) root debridement and supportive periodontal care, where I can almost work in autopilot mode, and the very challenging surgeries we do in periodontics.”

As well as a respected specialist, Luan is a passionate educator, and is the convenor of the specialist Periodontics program at Melbourne Dental School.

“There are many reasons why I enjoy teaching. I believe it keeps me on my toes. I am also passionate about Periodontics and hope my passion rubs off on the students I teach.” www.adawa.com.au/product/minimally-traumatic-tooth-removal www.adawa.com.au/product/crown-lengthening-for-the-general-dentist

Perth practitioners will have the chance to see this passion in action, when Luan presents two courses in July – ‘Minimally Traumatic Tooth Removal’ and ‘Crown Lengthening for the General Dentist’, alongside Dr Cindy Nguyen.

Minimally Traumatic Teeth Removal will cover effective techniques for minimally traumatic tooth removal, as well as techniques and indications for tooth socket preservation. This course will feature a hands-on component, which will enable participants to practice tooth extraction, tooth sectioning and socket preservation techniques under supervision.

Crown Lengthening for the General Dentist will cover surgical crown lengthening indications and techniques. The hands-on component of the course will include surgical crown lengthening on pig jaws.

Dr Luan Ngo and Dr Cindy Nguyen will present Minimally Traumatic Teeth Removal on Saturday July 1 and Crown Lengthening for the General Dentist on Sunday July 2.

Robb’s Infection Prevention and Control – achieving best practice course is coming back to WA

Infection Prevention and Control: Achieving Best Practice is the most highly attended ADA NSW CPD course for four consecutive years; a fact which makes me both proud and humble. More than 3500 people have attended this constantly evolving presentation and I'm delighted to be returning to WA to present the course again in August. Part of the reason why this course resonates with the profession, beyond the requirement for practitioners to have contemporary Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) knowledge, is because it focusses on building team confidence and highlights how IPC matters from a business continuity perspective beyond simply preventing the transmission of infection.

From my perspective, there are three areas impacting IPC for dentistry in WA:

1. The Dental Board of Australia shifting away from a prescriptive approach to IPC

2. Evolving healthcare consumer expectations for IPC safety and quality; and

3. Pressure to take action to address sustainability opportunities while keeping patients and staff safe.

Moving to a risk-based approach

I am a supporter of the Dental Board of Australia’s huge shift away from prescribing specific IPC guidelines to the expectation that practitioners exercise their own professional judgement to manage IPC risk. This approach provides an exceptional amount of flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and evidence and this is appropriate.

Exceeding consumer expectations

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance both of stringent IPC measures and increased consumer awareness of infection risks associated with visiting health care facilities. This is a good thing as it promotes a safer and healthier environment for both patients and practice teams. My course addresses how practitioners can face challenges to implement and sustain quality improvement initiatives at a practice level particularly when dealing with workforce shortages and higher turnover of staff.

Sustainability reduces cost

The pressure from various sources to adopt or at least think about a sustainability mindset to minimise the environmental impact of patient care is not going away. While I think we still have a way to go before sustainability of itself is a key driver for change, the sheer volume of plastic required and increasing waste from an IPC perspective is obvious. I agree the cost alone of paying for all these single use items where it is questionable as to whether they are reducing the risk of infection transmission is valid concern. My course outlines how to objectively review the resources in use from an IPC risk management perspective to minimise cost – but not safety.

I really enjoy presenting this course and can’t wait to come back to WA again in August.

Infection Prevention Control Perth

Wednesday August 16

Infection Prevention Control Geraldton

Saturday August 19

Register at adawa.com.au/cpd

Course Outline

Endorsed and delivered by the ADA, this course is for dental practitioners, dental practice team members, industry and/ or product representatives that require infection prevention and control (IPC) education that is specifically in relation to the practice of dentistry in Australia. This is a vibrant and engaging course that incorporates reflective activities, plenty of videos, engaging quizzes and useful insights that are immediately applicable for every dental practice.

This is a constantly evolving course that has supported thousands of practice team members across Australia to continue to confidently manage IPC risk to protect the public.

We know that practice teams that have a good understanding of the most important elements of IPC leads to benefits such as:

• improved efficiency by streamlining processes

• being more sustainable by reducing single use plastics using risk-based principles

• using evidence and best practice concepts to seek and identify quality improvements

• having more confidence with creating and following policies thereby reducing variation; and

• creating a culture of continuous quality improvement ensuring services are person centred, safe and effective.

Over 3500 people have attended this constantly evolving, real time, ADA course to reflect the dynamic landscape that is IPC.

Infection Prevention and Control –achieving best practice in Western Australia

6.5 CPD

Wednesday August 16 2023

Registration from 8.30am Course 9.00am to 5pm

ADA House 54-56 Havelock Street West Perth

Lunch, morning and afternoon tea

$ $275 ADA Members $412.50 Non Members

About The Presenter

Kylie Robb is the Head of Practice Services for ADA NSW and has been instrumental in advocating for best practice in infection prevention and control (IPC) standards for the oral health profession in Australia and around the world.

Kylie is a Fellow and Board Director of the Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control and Adjunct Lecturer for the University of Newcastle. Kylie has post graduate qualifications in IPC and Health Services Management and holds the award of Credentialed Infection Control Professional – Advanced (CICP-A) and routinely presents on leadership for IPC, quality improvement, clinical governance, and dental practice sustainability.

Kylie has been recognised by the World Health Organisation’s Western Pacific Regional Office for her dental IPC expertise and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America through her appointment onto their coveted International Ambassadors Program.