The International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) is currently seeking responses for their tenth global survey (sponsored by Oral-B) "Prevention: What's Best for the Patient?" to assist their understanding of global practices and beliefs around preventive care. 

As with previous surveys, no personal information is collected and a summary of the findings will be published on the IFDH website. 

Complete the survey by Friday 13 December 2024.

COMPLETE THE IFDH SURVEY

The International Association for Disability & Oral Health (iADH) are calling for for interest of the positions for the member of International Advisory Committee (IAC) and Educational Committee (EC) of iADH in 2024-2026. 

The iADH are looking for motivated candidates who can support the association on its mission and vision and implementing the strategic plan. Applicants must be a paid‐up member and have held iADH membership for the past three (3) consecutive years.

IAC Position & Application Information

EC Position & Application Information

View the information above and send applications to: secretary@iadh.org by Monday 16 December 2024.

The Victorian Oral Health Alliance (VOHA) recently sent the Pre-Budget Submission 2025-2026 to the Federal Minister for Health and Treasurer. 

VOHA represents a membership of key oral health professionals, consumer and community health organisations that provide public oral health care. 

"The central focus of VOHA's 2025-26 Victorian Pre-Budget Submission is to urgently address and reduce the unacceptably high rates of preventable hospital admissions for oral health conditions in Victoria. Immediate government action is essential, as Victorians—especially younger children, the elderly, and rural communities—continue to endure debilitating dental conditions that could have been otherwise prevented.

For decades, funding for Victoria’s public dental system and early intervention initiatives has been neglected, leading to a state of decay in which the population's oral health continues to deteriorate.¹ For too long, oral health has been viewed in isolation from the rest of the body, resulting in gaps in policy and funding that further contribute to these issues This submission outlines a series of evidence-based interventions, diverse in scope, timeframe, and budget, that will not only reduce preventable hospitalisations but also improve the overall oral health of those vulnerable Victorians above.

Each of our proposals has been specifically designed to align with two significant government policies.

1. Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF)’s Early Intervention Investment Framework².

2.Victorian Action Plan to Prevent Oral Disease³."

Read the VOHA Pre-Budget Submission 2025-2026.

The Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer invites you to share your experience with recruiting allied health professionals in the ACT during  2024 to inform the National Occupation Shortage List (previously known as the National Skills Priority List).

Jobs and Skills Australia conduct this research and publish the results each year. 

To participate click on this link to register your interest, then you will be sent a personalised survey link to complete.

Helpful Information

• The survey will take around 5-10 minutes and will ask you for the number of vacancies advertised, the number of vacancies filled, your opinion on skill supply, demand, recruitment challenges and any evidence to support your experience if available.
• You will also be required to include your contact details.
• You will need to complete a separate survey for each profession you want to comment on.

The survey is open until COB 7 March 2025. Thank you in advance for sharing your expert opinion.

Stay up to date with the latest clinical news via the Clinical Leadership Newsletter here.

Source: Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer email 18 November 2024.

Commissioned by the Australian Government, the independent Scope of Practice Review Final Report "Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce" was released on 5 November 2024. 

The Review was led by Professor Mark Cormack, supported by the University of Queensland and an Expert Advisory Committee that included patients, health experts and representatives from peak professional bodies, including ADOHTA.

The Final Report includes 18 recommendations across four key reform areas: 

1. Theme A - Workforce design, development, education and planning
2. Theme B - Legislation and regulation
3. Theme C - Funding and payment policy
4. Theme D - Enablers and other key considerations

We were pleased to contribute feedback during the Review process with the Final Report containing a direct quote from ADOHTA:

The Minister for Health and Aged Care The Hon Mark Butler MP said:

"This review validates the frustrations of so many of our incredible health professionals: the health system does not enable and support them to consistently deliver the care that is within their skills, training and experience.

This is not a case of a single profession missing out. The review tells us that virtually all health professions are held back by restrictions and barriers that are unrelated to their skills, training and experience."

You can learn more about the Review, Final Report and Media Release here:

FINAL REPORT

EXTRACT OF FINAL REPORT

DPT HEALTH AND AGED CARE MEDIA RELEASE

Sources:

• Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce, Scope of Practice Review - Final Report, October 2024.
• The Hon Mark Butler MP Minister for Health and Aged Care Media Release 5 November 2024.
• Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) Healthcare in Brief 8 November 2024.

Ahead of World Diabetes Day join NACCHO & Diabetes Australia for the third Eye Health 2024 Webinar Series: Eye Health and Diabetes.

Wednesday 13 November 2024 - 1-2pm AEDT

NACCHO Australia Instagram post.

Visit the NACCHO portal to find out more.

Source: IAHA e-News 5 November 2024

Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) reports there are calls for a food price cap in remote communities after:

"A consumer advocacy group has found high-priced groceries in First Nations communities across Australia is contributing to food insecurity. The report found across all Australian capital cities the price of the nine essential items averaged $44.70, while in remote communities it was more than double." Read more here.  Source: IAHA e-News 5/11/24

Recent reports have noted an increase in the presentations of scurvy. The cost-of-living crisis and rise in bariatric surgeries are thought to be contributing to this risk. Scurvy can present orally, most commonly as generalised severe erythematous gingivitis which is painful and bleeds heavily upon touch or sometimes spontaneously.

It is important as oral health practitioners we manage our patients holistically and refer to a general practitioner if there are suspected systemic issues.

From the AHHA Healthcare in Brief 25/10/24:

"A recent case of scurvy, a once-rare disease historically linked to sailors' lack of fresh fruits and vegetables on long sea voyages, has been identified in Western Australia.

Some medical professionals are describing it as a ‘re-emerging diagnosis’ due to the current rise in living costs and the increasing number of bariatric surgeries."

Read more: 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-23/scurvy-case-detected-western-australia/104503318

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/23/perth-man-treated-for-scurvy-as-cost-of-living-crisis-brings-back-disease-of-the-past

Healing Smiles is an organisation providing pro-bono dental care to survivors of domestic violence in Western Australia.

They are a community of female volunteer dental practitioners who are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment where domestic violence survivors can access treatments without fear of financial, physical, and emotional limitations.

Healing Smiles' unique program aims to restore smiles while delivering safe, holistic, and multidisciplinary care.

ADOHTA Life Member Carol Nevin shares:

"I've been doing Healing Smiles clinics on a monthly basis at OHCWA for the past year and it's so rewarding. With our skill sets, we have a lot to offer." 

Recruitment for volunteers is to support offering sessions in a new purpose-built clinic, which will be ready by early to mid-February 2025 and located in the Ruah building in Northbridge.

An orientation session for interested volunteers will be held on Saturday 1 February 2025 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Please find all the details in the flyer below. 

HEALING SMILES INFO

HEALING SMILES WEBSITE

The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) has four "My Health My Way" booklets available with the aim to improve chronic disease outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The booklets include: 

• My Moves
• My Life
• My Food & Drinks
• My Feet

These resources were created in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community sector.

DOWNLOAD THE RESOURCES

Source: IAHA e-News 29 October 2024