News & Events

• URGENT NOTICE: Hygienists unable to provide treatment under Medicare DVA Scheme

  The DHAA Inc. wish to advise all dental Hygienist practitioners legislation prohibits services provided by Dental Hygienists to Department of Veteran Affairs patients.

  Department of Veterans Affairs have published Guidance Notes which may be view at
  http://www.dva.gov.au/service_providers/dental_allied/Pages/index.aspx

  The DHAA Inc. have been in very regular communication with the ADA regarding this issue and the ADA will be publishing advice to their members that treatment must be done only by listed providers.

  There is no doubt the legislation is flawed and this presents an untenable situation and has implications for the aged community general health and oral health. Hygienists have operated within scope of practice and historically provided quality care for veterans.

  We have been in contact with Department of Veteran Affairs who have verbally advised hygienists are unable to provide services under current legislation. ADA has received this information in writing.

  The DHAA Inc. have written to the Health Minister Hon Tanya Plibersek and have requested a meeting regarding Legislation changes, we also lobbying members of the Senate and advocating Legislative Changes.

  The DHAA Inc. is meeting with ADA and will also request a meeting with Hon. Warren Snowden Minister of Veteran Affairs

  We are circulating this information to correspond with ADA and ANZAP, ASP and DPL information to members.

  We acknowledge this is an unacceptable public health issue and are working hard to change legislation to restore historical service.

  We strongly advise you discuss this matter with your employer and contact your local member of parliament and ask your Veteran Affairs patients to do the same.

  Hellen Checker
  National President
  DHAA Inc.

• ADOHTA 3rd International Conference

  
  Click here to register

• Media Release from the Brotherhood of St Laurence

  8th December 2011

  This is the media release from the Brotherhood of St Laurence, discussing the high price of dental care which locks out disadvantage people at a cost to the economy of $1.3 billion.

  Click here to download.

• Interview with new Minister for Human Services and Social Inclusion, Hon Tanya Plibersek

  12th October 2011

  This document is the transcript of interview with Luke Grant and Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Human Services & Social Inclusion about the Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme and Enhanced Primary Care Scheme

  Click here to download.

• Employment Opportunity

  

  Oral Health Therapist – Team Leader

  Oral Health Service (School Dental Service), Bundaberg, Wide Bay Health Service District.

  Remuneration value up to $120 806 p.a., comprising salary between $101 477 - $105 881 p.a. employer contribution to superannuation (up to 12.75%) and annual leave loading (17.5%) (HP5) (Applications will remain current for 12 months)

  Duties/Abilities: Provide high quality oral health therapy services to eligible clients within the Bundaberg Health Service, Wide Bay Health Service District. Provide leadership, strategic direction and advocacy in the management of the Child and Adolescent Oral Health Program and authoritative counsel to Oral Health Management, Dental and Oral Health Therapists and other relevant stakeholders across the Health Service
  
  Enquiries: Venessa Grandcourt (07) 4150 2234.
  Job Ad Reference: H11WB11664.
  Application Kit: (07) 4150 2066 or www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus
  Closing Date: Wednesday, 4 January 2012.
  

  If you are not a Queensland Health employee, a criminal history check may be conducted on the recommended person for the job.

• The Oral Health CRC

  The Oral Health CRC performs research into technologies and products that can prevent and reverse tooth decay. This inlcudes new diagnostics and treatments for periodontal disease, advanced dental materials, identifying sectors of the community with increased risk of oral disease, and conducting clinical trials of oral health products.

  The website is http://www.oralhealthcrc.org.au

• ADA Guidelines for Infection Control

  The Australian Dental Association has developed a  document (43 pages)  on Guidelines for Infection Control. The document describes the standards of infection control that dental care providers and dental staff in a dental practice are expected to follow.

  The cost of the book is $40.00 and is available from the ADA.

  Tel: 02 9906 4412    or    Email: adainc@ada.org.au