Dentists on the Hill shows the power of collective advocacy in action

As the professional association for dentists in Australia, the ADA has always stressed how powerful it is when singular professional voices are raised as one.

This singular truth was on powerful display in Canberra from 11 to 12 August when more than 40 dentists including ADA Board and committee members and key advocates from across the profession met with MPs and Senators from across the political spectrum at Parliament House.

Among the many MPs and Senators who made time to meet with dentists and dental advocates from across the country were Senator David Pocock, Mr. Josh Burns MP, Mr. David Batt, Ms. Ali France MP, Mr. Leon Rebello MP, Ms. Dai Le and Senator Luke Gosling.
 
The ADA was also privileged to have The Honourable Rebecca White MP, Senator the Honourable Anne Ruston, Dr Sophie Scamps MP and Senator Jordon Steele-John in attendance at the breakfast which launched the event on Tuesday morning.

The ADA is grateful too for the support provided by the Parliamentary Friends of Oral and Dental Health in helping to make Dentists on a Hill a reality.

Top row L-R (1) Senator Luke Fosling with Dr Kaejenn Tchia, Dr Amit Gurbuxani, Dr Mark Hutton and Dr Denise Salvestro (2) Senator David Pocock with Dr Jessica Leung, Dr Kerrie O'Rourke, Dr Srikanth Karumuri, Dr Tim Crofts (3) Mr. David Batt MP with Ana Elefterescu, Dr Amit Gurbuxani, Dr Paul Dever and Dr Martin Webb

Bottom L-R (4) Mr. Josh Burns with Dr Susan Wise (5) Ms. Dai Le MP with Dr Selina Leow, Dr Denise Salvestro, Dr Mark Morrin, Dr Cathleen Dong (6) Ms. Ali France MP with Dr Paul Dever, Dr Norah Ayad, Dr Robert Stewart, Dr Monica Farrelly (7) Mr. Leon Rebello MP with Dr Paul Dever

The message to every MP and Senator with whom delegates met centred on the clear and present need that vulnerable populations in Australia have to access a full range of dental care options, with the implementation of a National Oral Health Plan top of the agenda.

In his welcome speech, ADA President Dr Chris Sanzaro stressed the urgency of the need and that government has a detailed role to play in ensuring it is met.

“Too many Australians still struggle to access dental care. There is a clear role for government. Implement a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme, halt the declining value of DVA rebates, support improvements to the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Work with First Nations groups to close gaps whereby First Nations children in rural areas have up to three times the rate of tooth decay compared to other Australian children. Improve access to general anaesthetic, which is particularly critical for people with disabilities. Invest in public dental and the dentists who work there – including fairer renumeration.”

He made it clear too that the future sustainability of the dental profession must be taken into account, saying that “We need to have a frank discussion about where our industry is going”, with a particular focus on workforce requirements in regional and remote areas. He also underscored that regulatory intervention on issues such as vaping, sugar consumption, and food ratings needs to be a priority for government.

"All these challenges – across access, the future of dentistry, and prevention – are deeply connected.  They require a national response. That’s what the National Oral Health Plan should be. We’re not naive enough to think a plan will solve it all – but it’s a great place to start," said Dr Sanzaro.

Importantly, Dentists on the Hill brought, Dr Sanzaro noted, “the voice of the profession directly to Parliament”.

Its effectiveness in highlighting a range of issues impinging on the oral health of the nation and the future of the profession was timely, ensuring that dentistry is no longer treated as “afterthought” but becomes and remains an integral part of the health care agenda of Australia, now and in the years ahead.