Dear Colleagues
Having taken over as president of AAPD in April, I have had to quickly learn the politics of paediatric dentistry in Australia! The most significant issue at present appears to be the financial strife in which private hospitals across Australasia find themselves, and the fact that private hospitals in Australia are limiting operating theatre access for dentists and dental specialists due to the inadequate funding of dental treatment. Many thanks must go to our advocacy committee and especially the chair, Tim Keys, who is dedicating a great deal of time and passion to this project.
The current priority is to advocate for a change in the dental DRG which grossly underestimates the complexity of the work we do. We have engaged the services of a media advisor and developed a media strategy to disseminate information to the public. We have already had some favourable media exposure (see links here). A survey was sent to all AAPD members, special needs dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and other dentists who treat patients under general anaesthetic, seeking information regarding the decreasing access to operating theatres. Thank you to those who participated in the survey. It’s great to have some robust data about the impact these changes are having on the profession and our patients. We found that a staggering 60% of paediatric dentists in Australia have had a decrease in their operating lists over the last 4 years.
Meanwhile, the 2024 conference committee continues to finalise plans for our upcoming Reconnext conference at the Mantra Mooloolaba Beach, Queensland, being held between 26-28 September. In what promises to be a must-attend event, our keynote speaker, Professor Andy Keeling, will deliver an enlightening presentation on the role of technology in dentistry, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). We have engaged a professional conference organiser for the first time, which is proving to be an excellent decision. Reconnext provides a valuable opportunity for learning, taking part in stimulating discussions and connecting with peers, and I’m really looking forward to seeing you all there.
Planning is also underway for next year’s conference. Reconnext 2025 will be held in New Zealand; we hope to be able to announce the dates and location very soon.
I would like to thank my predecessor in this role, Nicky Kilpatrick, both for her work as president over the past two years and for continuing to make herself, along with her amazing network of colleagues, available to assist our small but passionate executive. We greatly appreciate the support and help of members, especially those in our working groups.
As our specialty grows and develops, we need to continue engaging with each other to provide mutual support, particularly for our younger members. We are all in this career because we are passionate about the needs of our paediatric patients, and experience has shown us that when we work together on common issues we can elevate both the level of care we provide and the professionalism of our field. Let’s continue to be the most collegial of the dental specialties!
Dr. Katie Ayers
AAPD President
