Griffith University ADPAQ Award Winners 2007

L to R: Mr David Nixon, Ms Monika Behrens, Mr Bruce Menzies (ADPAQ President), Mr Mohamed Essack and  Ms Gabriela Taligova

On the 12th May 2008 Mr Bruce Menzies presented the ADPAQ Sponsored Awards to students from the School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

We congratulate;

Ms Monika Behrens

Highest Academic Result in 1st Year Dental Technology Program

Mr Mohamed Essack

Highest Academic Result in 2nd Year Dental Technology Program

Mr David Dixon

Highest Academic Result in 3rd Year Dental Technology Program

and

Ms Gabriela Taligova and Mr Lucas Lang

Joint winners of The Karl Ring Bursary awarded to the student/s with the highest academic result in the Master of Dental Technology in Prosthetics Program

Premier of Queensland

The fluoridation of water supplies would become one of the most important and Effective public health measures ever introduced in Queensland, Premier Anna Bligh told Parliament today. The Premier’s comments preceded the introduction of the Government’s Water Fluoridation Bill 2008 by Health Minister Stephen Robertson. “When I became Premier last year I made a commitment to Queenslanders that I would work to better prepare us for the future and that I would be a Premier for all of the State.

This means taking issues out of the too-hard basket and making tough decisions that will benefit not only all of us, but the future generations of Queenslanders. My Government is making those tough decisions and has committed $35 million to fluoridate Queensland’s water supplies over the next four years,” she said. Ms Bligh said fluoridation would become one of the State’s most important investments in the future health of our children.

“Fluoridation will reverse a trend that has resulted in Queensland kids having the worst teeth in the country and it will deliver dental health benefits to our future generations that other Australians have been enjoying for up to 40 years,”

“Fluoridation is endorsed by the World Health Organisation, the American Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control and the British Medical Association. It is also supported by a number of Australia's peak health bodies, including the Australian Medical Association, the Australian Dental Association, the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Public Health Association of Australia. Fluoridation is a safe, effective and proven preventative against tooth decay and I am committed to ensuring that future generations of Queenslanders will reap the benefits,” she said.

Mr Robertson said the new Bill would replace the current Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1963. “Under this legislation, a statutory duty will be placed on public water suppliers who supply water to over 1,000 people, to add fluoride to the public water supply under their control or management,” he said. “Within two years, 80% of Queenslanders will have access to fluoridated water, increasing to more than 90% by 2012. A project of this size and scope will require close consultation and collaboration with a number of key stakeholders and across Government.
Water fluoridation will be phased into water treatment plants in the following local government areas (incorporating the new boundaries):

• 2008: SEQ major water treatment plants - Mt Crosby (2 plants), Landers Shute, Molendinar, Mudgeeraba and North Pine (54% estimated State coverage)

• 2009: SEQ minor water treatment plants, Indigenous communities, commencement of Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton and Toowoomba Regional. (80% estimated coverage)

• 2010: Completion of Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton; Fraser, Gympie, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, commencement of Dalby (83% estimated
  coverage)

• 2011: Blackall, Emerald, Dalby completion, Goondiwindi, Hinchinbrook, Longreach, Mornington, Mt Isa, Murweh, North Burnett, Rio Tinto (Weipa), Tablelands, Whitsunday (92% coverage)

• 2012: Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Bundaberg, Burdekin, Carpentaria, Charters Towers, Cassowary, Cloncurry, Flinders, Isaac, Roma, Toowoomba Regional completion (95% coverage)

12 February, 2008

Please find following the text of a letter sent by the National President, Mr Martin Dunn OAM, explaining the establishment of the Australian Oral Care Alliance (AOCA).

The Federal Council of the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association, ADPA, at their September Meeting 2007 ratified the idea to pursue closer relationships with other members of the dental profession.

This endeavour to develop closer relationships has been realised with the establishment of the Australian Oral Care Alliance, AOCA. The mission of this newly established alliance is to ‘ensure all Australians have direct access to the best available oral health care appropriate for their needs’. The ADPA is recognised as a founding member of the alliance and all other signatories recognise our role as the ‘peak body representing Dental Prosthetists’.
Please see the enclosed Memorandum of Understanding and Press Release for further Information.

This new alliance forms a cohesive unit of Oral Health Providers whom whilst keeping their individual identity can act together on the major issues affecting the Oral Health of all Australians.

It will not in any way affect the business of the Australian Dental Prosthetists Association… and our business is…

• The ADPA is regarded by State and Federal Governments as the ‘Peak Body’ representing Dental Prosthetist’s throughout Australia including the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Medicare, State Health Department Denture Schemes and Registration Boards

• taking a seat at COAG*

• represented by two delegates at CORA*

• representing our members on state registration boards

• as a member of the DVA Dental Advisory Committee

• lobbying both state and federally for changes to legislation and acknowledgement of our contribution to the oral health of all Australians

• encouraging the continuing professional development of our members

• forming alliances with educational facilities to increase the outcome of students who in time will continue our profession

To you our members the tangible benefits of the Federal Body include;

• To create a nationally recognised name and logo in the knowledge we are developing a greater public awareness of Dental Prosthetists

• Commissioning and supplying a Denture Cost Calculator with a view to providing each individual practising ADPA member with a process through which they have the ability to measure the profitability of their practice, in relation to the hours worked within the practice, (An initiative of ADPA Tasmania)

• Supplying your Denture Clinic Decals increasing the identification of our brand locally and around Australia, (An initiative of ADPA Victoria)

• Lapel Membership Pins

• A member benefits program has now been established with discounted rates negotiated initially for Qantas Club and Hertz. We hope that this Member Benefits program will be expanded in future to include other benefits such as banking and financial services

• Support the provision of eLaborate magazine

• The development and provision of National Conferences every two years to bring Dental Prosthetists together from around Australia to nurture their professional skills and foster the formation of Dental Prosthetist networks

The Federal Council of the ADPA and the individual state bodies work tirelessly to effect the betterment of the profession of Dental Prosthetists. We know our members support us in these endeavours and we are sure that it will continue for many years to come.

Sincerely

Martin Dunn OAM, President
Jenine Bradburn, Secretary
Russell Brownlie, Vice President
Bruce Menzies, Treasurer

ADPA Federal Executive

Glossary

COAG Council of Australian Governments
The role of COAG is to initiate, develop and monitor the implementation of policy reforms that are of national significance and which require cooperative action by Australian governments (for example, National Registration)

CORA Council of Regulating Authorities
CORA represents the educational Institutions, the licensing authorities and the peak industry bodies for Dental Prosthetists and Dental Technicians around Australia in the review of regulatory requirements and educational needs for the future of these professions