The field of dentistry is witnessing a remarkable transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly becoming part of day-to-day care. Pediatric dentists in Australia are embracing AI to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and improve overall oral health outcomes for young patients. In this article, we'll delve into the ways dentists are using AI in Australia – and take a glance at what the future may hold.

The baby boom continues! Congratulations to all our members who have added to their families since our June newsletter.

Professor Robert Anthonappa dons several hats: University Dean, Oral Health Centre Director and University Program Convenor – to name a few. Was it destiny (or perhaps the tooth fairy) that led to Robert becoming a paediatric specialist? He says it just might be!

Providing care to remote and underserved communities is the driving force being Dr Jilen Patel’s passion for paediatric dentistry. Jilen is kept busy as a senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia, as well as working as a paediatric specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital and private practice. Yet, he still finds time to work on initiatives that lead to better oral health for children in the wider community.

Dr Ashika Lathif says she was brought into the specialist niche thorough a mix of luck, mentors and the joy of working with children. Now that she’s emersed in the world of paediatric dentistry, she says the possibilities when working in the specialty are endless.

After working for five years as a general dentist, Dr Naomi Kottege decided to get her specialist accreditation. Now, working at Canberra’s sole paediatric practice, Naomi loves the variety the profession provides, and the hilarious one-liners said by some of her patients.

Melbourne-based Dr Dharini Ravindra was drawn into paediatric dentistry after working several years in remote NSW. Her frustration at not having the skillset to help children presenting with specialist challenges led to her enrolling into paediatric specialisation. And the rest, as they say, is history.

It’s been a flurry of activity in the land of the Long White Cloud as the Kiwi members of the Academy host their Study Day, launch a new website, and gear up for their annual conference. Here, SPDNZ Chair Dr Arun Natarajan gives an update on the progress happening in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The recent IAPD meeting in Maastricht saw our members receive several prestigious prizes at the event for their scientific research. Here, each of the winners talks to their research and experience in attending the IAPD conference in the Netherlands.

The 29th Congress of the IAPD was held in the cobble stoned university city of Maastricht in the Netherlands. The town with picturesque medieval architecture and canals hosted over 1,400 paediatric dentists from 77 countries for four days of high calibre scientific symposiums and a packed social program.

Several Academy member are making ongoing contributions to the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) initiative to establish a specialist training program based within health services in New Zealand.