ADOHTA looks forward to collaborative partnership with newly appointed government

After a marathon election campaign and an even more arduous vote counting process, the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association (ADOHTA) congratulates and welcomes the Turnbull government on their return to office in 2016.

ADOHTA President Ms Hellene Platell says ADOHTA is excited to continue to work with the returning Health Minister The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, and that she is looking forward to more discussions between ADOHTA and the health ministry to address the well documented disparities that exist for Australians seeking access to the best possible and affordable oral health care.

"While it took some time to be certain about the lay of the land in the federal political sphere, we got there in the end. ADOHTA would like to congratulate the Turnbull led coalition on their return to government and we are extremely keen to continue our previous conversations with the federal government across their coming term."

"In 2015 we met with Ms Ley and her advisors to discuss the state of oral health care in this country and we have highlighted the extensive contribution the Oral Health Professional (OHP) workforce makes in addressing unmet need in oral health care, particularly amongst those who are most vulnerable in our community."

OHPs are made up of qualified professionals including Dental Therapists, Oral Health Therapists and Dental Hygienists. Ms Platell says that while the campaign and vote counting took longer than expected, now is the time for action in relation to addressing the concerns of the OHP workforce and greater community.

"Oral health care issues and the subsequent work required to address these issues are often forgotten or rarely spoken in government circles."

"In the early stages of this year ADOHTA met or had correspondence with all state and territory health ministers and we voiced our concerns about the growing gaps and inequalities in delivering the best possible oral health care to all Australians."

Ms Platell also said she was pleased over the weekend to learn that Ballarat MP Catherine King retained the important shadow health portfolio on behalf of the opposition.

"We made contact with Ms King's office earlier in the year and also look forward to working with her to advocate for better recognition and utilisation of the OHP workforce in Australia."

Ms Platell says Australia has invested in building the capacity of OHPs by advancing their training and education (three-year bachelor degrees), and post graduate education for dental and oral health therapists to provide fillings for adults and since 2010, registering them nationally through the Australian Health Professionals Registration Agency.

She adds that better utilisation of the OHP workforce is key to addressing the gaps which currently exist in oral health service delivery, particularly amongst vulnerable populations, such as families on lower incomes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the elderly and those in rural and remote settings. OHPs key work is to increase supply of oral health care and reduce demand through prevention

"We believe that OHPs can be supported to work in ways that make a greater contribution to improving the oral and general health of Australians, in our cities and in rural, regional and remote areas."