NEW HORIZONS IN UNIFIED ORAL HEALTH CARE Opening Horizons Across Australia, in oral health practice, opportunities and innovation
With
Cheryl Dey,
Oral Hygienist &
President, Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA)
Nathan Clarke,
Chief Executive Officer,
Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA)
SEGMENT
Filmed in Gold Coast | October 2025
The Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA) is the peak professional association representing Oral Health Practitioners (dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists) to support and promote the continued growth and development of oral health across Australia.
OHAA was formed following the vote in December 2024 by the ADOHTA and DHAA members to form one new professional association. The Board Directors and Regional Committees are volunteers who work clinically or in the oral health profession and combined with their staff, direct their time and efforts to serving OHAA members and oral health in the community with passion and dedication.
In October 2025, OHAA held its inaugural Congress as a new association entity to celebrate and advance the shared goals of the oral health workforce and community. This year’s Congress was held to foster learning, collaboration, and growth in the field of oral health.
With the theme ”Opening Horizons Across Australia”, the Congress aimed to show the associations and its member collective commitment to broadening the scope of oral health practice, exploring new opportunities, driving innovation, and connecting professionals across the country in meaningful ways.
Australian Health Journal was invited to the Congress and met with the OHAA President and CEO.
Source: Adapted from OHAA website by AUDIENCED
-
HIGHLIGHTS Consumers and communities as agents of health care change and improvement
Policymakers, health administrators and clinicians must learn and embrace new ways to harness the transformative role consumers, community members and carers can play. Conversely, consumers and communities need support, capability and capacity to engage as equals in policy, research, program and service design. This is necessary if are to be less technocratic and realise the vision where all members of society can live the best life possible.
-
Jamie Stanistreet talks Medical Technology
Jamie Stanistreet
Retired Managing Director Medtronic Australia and New Zealand
talks Medical Technology in Australia and the Asia-Pacific -
Delivering anaesthetic services to countries where surgical services can’t be provided
Dr Wendy Falloon is an Anaesthetist of over 30 years experience and a Fellow of Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). She studied medicine at the University of Tasmania, and worked in Hobart, Sydney and the Uk while completing her specialist qualifications. Her primary professional focus has always been to deliver the best possible experience of anaesthesia to each and every patient, and for them to know that she sees and values them, and their stories.
Having been born in Africa, she realised even as a child that health and wealth were largely a product of where people happen to be born. This sowed the seed of her ongoing desire to be of help to others in less fortunate circumstances, ultimately leading to her volunteer work with the Mercy Ships charity. This is one of the most fulfilling aspects of her career, and she has volunteered in Africa with Mercy Ships 8 times since 2014.
