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Is March too late to say ‘Happy New Year’? IT’S HARD TO believe that after counting down to the end of 2020 for what seemed so long that we’re one twelfth of the way through 2021 already. The “New Year, new me/new start” clean slate concept is something that many people prescribe to. Resolutions are made, and often by the end of January they are but a distant memory – just as the summer holiday period comes to an end and life gets back to normality. It is for this reason that I prefer to make my resolutions in February, around the time of the Lunar New Year. This gives me a chance to settle into the year, reflect, and decide what I want to focus on away from the hustle and hype of what is usually a hectic Christmas period. One thing I will be working on this year is “sweating the small stuff”. Do you ever notice how there is joy in the small moments of your day? The way a child lights up when you compliment their new glasses, the look of relief from the receptionist when you pick up the ringing phone while they’re dealing with a patient, the excited giggle of your niece and nephew when you’re looking for them during a game of hide and seek, the sense of triumph from your 66-year-old, self-proclaimed technologically challenged patient, when they master the app that will be helping guide their treatment, or the gratitude of a member expressed through a quick email or social media comment. While I’m keen to kick some big goals this year, I’m going to work on looking for more of these little nuggets of happiness every day. February is also the time we hold our first DHAA Board meeting of the year. At the DHAA this year we are excited to be working on goals both big and small; campaigning for provider numbers, assisting members with changes brought about by the Fair Work Commission’s decision to include us under the Health Services Award, getting back to face-to-face events, hosting our National Symposium in Melbourne, building relationships with other dental professional associations and launching a consumer website – just to name a few. With the change in calendar comes a change in volunteers. On behalf of the Board, I thank our outgoing volunteers for their wonderful contributions to our Association. To our new volunteers – whether it is your first time with the Association, or you are returning after some time away, whether you are continuing in your role or taking on something new – welcome and thank you for putting up your hand to help build your profession. As Abraham Lincoln once said: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” I cannot wait to see what we create this year.
Contents 04 DHAA Symposium 2021 We're back on track for the national event in October
06 Respecting the expectant Valuable insight for any dental practitioner planning oral health promotions.
07 Loud and [mouth] proud 20 March is World Oral Health Day so we discuss ways to get involved.
08 Ask DHAA...
The pic of the crop of this quarter's questions answered and knowledge shared.
09 From the top
DHAA CEO Bill Suen updates us on the great work already being done in 2021.
COVER STORY
10 The Award: Friend or Foe
We focus on the new pay award and what it means for the future of our industry.
16 The road less travelled
Two inspiring colleagues share their entrepreneurial career journeys.
22 Positive values
Learn how to evaluate what's important to you and what doesn't matter.
32 State of the Nation
Your quarterly round-up of what's happening near you.
COVER PHOTO BY BOFU SHAW
Cheryl Dey DHAA National President
Key Contacts CEO Bill Suen CONTACT
PRESIDENT Cheryl Day CONTACT
MEMBERSHIP OFFICER Christina Zerk CONTACT
BULLETIN EDITOR Robyn Russell CONTACT
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