Short, L.M Hands-On Workshop,

Abstract

Changing Roles and Responsibilities - Dental Hygienists, Therapists and Nurses/Assistants Description of subject - This symposium will focus on dental auxiliaries (allied oral health professionals) and the move to substitution, expanded roles, legislative changes and requirements of registration. Indigenous issues are definitely relevant here but it is much wider than that. In the not-too-distant future, dental therapists will be treating adults, particularly in rural and remote areas where dentists are difficult to recruit and retain. More dental hygienists will be employed in the public sector, especially in long-term care facilities as well as for a preventive focus on oral health. The expanded roles for dental assistants is also interesting, particularly as an adjunct to hygienists in orthodontic practices. The requirement for Dental Nurses to be registered with the General Dental Council from July 2006 in the United Kingdom is also relevant here. What aspects of the subject will this symposium cover - Prominent dental hygienists and therapists from different countries will speak about the lessons learnt in their countries or continents. Australia has had significant changes in its eight states and territories where further changes are currently being considered. Symposium speakers include Dr Julie Satur from the University of Melbourne, Australia (Confirmed), Ms Helen Tane from the University of Otago, New Zealand (Confirmed), Ms Sue Aldenhoven, President of the International Association of Dental Hygienists (Unconfirmed), and Associate Professor Bonnie Craig, Director of the Degree completion program in Dental Hygiene from the University of British Columbia, Canada (Unconfirmed). Ms Pam Swain, the Chief Executive of the British Dental Nurses Association is unable to attend but has offered to contribute information for the Symposium. What is hoped to be achieved - A Symposium session targeted at dental hygienists and therapists would give formal recognition to their important role in the dental team and give them a specific opportunity to foster discussion and promote critical thinking. It would also raise the profile of dental hygienists and therapists in the world of dental research. At what level investigator is this symposium aimed - We have over 500 registered dental hygienists and dental therapists in Queensland alone, let alone in Australia. So I would expect many dental hygienists, therapists and nurses/assistants will attend and participate. Many of these will be working in the clinical setting as well as others who work with dental supply companies, in education and in research. My Dean, Professor Newell Johnson, is very supportive of my efforts to organise an appropriate session at the AADR and IADR in Brisbane in 2006. I also have support from the Dental and Oral Health Therapist Association of Queensland, the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapist Association and the Dental Hygienists' Association of Australia. Moreover, the Dental Assistants' Association of Queensland has offered to assist in the planning and organising of the Symposium as well. Moreover, one of the dental supply companies could be the sponsor - I have very good relations with Colgate, Oral-B and Pfizer and will approach them in this regard.