Queen's Birthday Honours

We were thrilled that three members of the WA dental community were recognised for their hard work, being named on the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List.

Ramesh Balasubramaniam

Associate Professor Ramesh Balasubramaniam was honoured with a Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for service to dentistry.

“I was quite surprised and very humbled,” Ramesh says of receiving the award. “It was not expected, and I am very grateful.”

When asked about contributions to the profession that he is most proud, the Principal of Perth Oral Medicine and Dental Sleep Centre and Associate Professor at the UWA Dental School says a standout for him was in 2009 when he, along with Dr David Booth and Ramesh feels the other big contribution to the field he has made has been his involvement in teaching and training. “I think the face of oral medicine has changed,” he explains. “I believe that our dental and medical colleagues understand the field of oral medicine and know what we do and that has been a good achievement globally for all of us as oral medicine specialists”.

Through this meeting we were able to speak to Ms Roxon on the need for oral medicine to be recognised as a speciality in Western Australia.

Associate Professor Agnieszka Frydrych, met with then Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon. “Through this meeting we were able to speak to Ms Roxon on the need for oral medicine to be recognised as a speciality in Western Australia,” he recalls.

“Thankfully, at the time, Dr John Owen AM was the

President of the Dental Board of Western Australia.

When it came to his table, he was supportive as well. That is how oral medicine became recognised as a speciality in Western Australia. That was one of the most exciting moments.” “I am also proud of co-authoring and co-editing Contemporary Oral Medicine, which is the number-oneselling textbook in oral medicine in the world now.”

Ramesh adds he is grateful for the support he has received. “I don’t think these sorts of things could be achieved without the support of my colleagues,” he says. “I have been well supported by ADAWA, I have been well supported by past and present Heads of School at UWA Dental School, and of course, my family, who are very proud but have sacrificed much of our time for my work.”

Albert Tan

Adjunct Professor Albert Tan was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to tertiary dental education, and to periodontics.

“It was totally unexpected when I received an email from the ‘Official Secretary to the Governor-General’ a couple of months ago to say that I had been nominated for an

Order of Australia,” Albert says. “It was surreal, but at the same time a great honour to be even nominated and considered. To me, this is an award that ‘other people get’, and it took a while to sink in.”

His service to tertiary education is well-known to his many students, with Albert’s long involvement with the UWA Dental School giving him the opportunity to learn and contribute as a clinician, teacher, researcher, supervisor, examiner, collaborator and mentor.

“Having been the beneficiary of many wonderful teachers and mentors, I was proud to be in a position to be able to give back,” he says, “As much as I have always maintained a keen interest in academia and hospital affiliation (Perth Children’s Hospital), my main livelihood has been derived as a specialist private practitioner. Hence, I hope that my experience in all sectors over a long period has also served to give students some guidance and encouragement in the knowledge that their careers can be varied, interesting and rewarding. For the many generations of dentists

Jan Owen

Jan was awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the Indigenous community through dental health initiatives.

“I am very proud and humbled that our work and that of all our KDT volunteers with and for our Kimberley indigenous peoples has been recognised in this way,” Jan says.

Jan, who co-founded the Kimberley Dental Team in 2009 alongside husband Dr John Owen, says it is very rewarding that they are able to take a dental service to people who would otherwise not have easy access to dental care and education. I have taught, I would be proud to think that my influence may have been an impetus for their learning and aspirations.”

Albert has also been an advocate of Continuing Professional Education, and for 16 years was part of the University Continuing Dental Education Committee (UCDEC), which he also chaired for six years.

“Needless to say, my other proud associations are with my specialty (Australian and New Zealand Academy of

Periodontists, ANZAP) and my hospital affiliation with

Perth Children’s Hospital,” he adds. “I am a Foundation Member of ANZAP and have served in almost every capacity with the honour of Life Membership in 2017 – again so proud of the great camaraderie with periodontists from every state and NZ. Last but not least, working with children with dento-facial anomalies at PCH is such a privilege, especially with a multi-disciplinary team of dedicated dental and medical specialists. And after more than 40 years, I still love going there.”

“I am very proud of all aspects of our program and would struggle to pinpoint any one part,” she adds. “Three standouts are: 1. That aboriginal people feel safe and respected by our teams and look forward to our visits 2. That families and children now have access to toothbrushing supplies and regular school brushing which is making a huge difference to their dental and general health.

3. That dental and auxiliary volunteers including students enjoy being involved in KDT.”