The important influence of oral health promotion

If you’re not loving hands-on hygiene, there’s a myriad of opportunity outside of the dental practice

By Melanie Hayes

WE ALL LEARNT a great deal about the importance of oral health promotion during our dental hygiene or oral health therapy training. In fact, the competencies of our profession specify that on graduation we must be able to understand the determinants of health, risk factors and behaviors that influence health, the theories and principles of health promotion, health promotion strategies and how to design, implement and evaluate evidencebased health promotion (Australian Dental Council, 2016). Many practitioners implement health promotion initiatives alongside their current clinical roles; I know numerous colleagues who regularly visit pre-schools, schools or aged care facilities.

Despite loving their work, some hygienists and OHTs will not practice clinically for the entirety of their working lives. Firstly, its tough on the body! Just like an athlete who retires from sport due to aches, pains and injuries, we may look to step away from clinical work to pursue alternative, but less straining, work. Secondly, we may simply be looking for a new challenge, or a chance to try something different. Or, we may be unlucky enough to be a casualty of a company restructure.

Whatever the reason, you don’t have to step away from the dental profession entirely. If you enjoy health promotion you might consider pursuing work utilizing your skills! If you aren’t sure what you could do, or where to start, this edition is full of health promotion focused colleagues – reach out, have a conversation, and explore this potential career path.

Dr Melanie Hayes (PhD) is a dental hygienist who has enjoyed a diverse career in clinical practice, teaching, research and management. She has a Master of Education majoring in Career Development, and is now working in an interdisciplinary role at the University of Sydney.

Changing for better

Project Officer for the Centre for Oral Health Strategy, Joanna Mohammadi, gives some insight into her role in health promotion and policy

Tell us about your current role.

I’ve recently started a secondment as a project officer in the Primary School Mobile Dental Program.

My role also sits within the Oral Health Services and Strategic Planning team at the Centre for Oral Health Strategy so I do some policy work too.

What education or experience did you need for this role?

I have a Bachelor of Oral Health and a Master’s in Public Health, but neither were a requirement for this role.

Prior to this secondment, I had worked as a policy officer for priority populations. An understanding of the Australian dental system in the context of state and federal governments would be useful to have for this role. It’s important to remember, knowledge doesn’t have to always be through a formal qualification. It can be as simple as exploring a topic you’re curious about!

What are the day-to-day activities?

A key component of my role is stakeholder engagement and consultation. This program impacts stakeholders across government such as NSW Health, Department of Education, NSW Families and Community Services. It also impacts on non-government stakeholders such as the Australian Dental Association, Australian Health and Medical Research Council, and the NSW Council of Social Services. Ensuring communication to appropriate stakeholders through phone calls, emails, meetings in addition to approval/correspondence briefs.

What was the scariest/most challenging part of choosing an alternate career?

I was worried that I would lose my clinical skill set. Even though, I knew I was ready to move into a population health/policy space. I felt I had “wasted” so many years working in clinical practice, however, I’ve realised this was a fixed mindset. In reality, the experiences and skills in each job I’ve had, helps me in some small way. For example, employment negotiation skills, working with a difficult colleague and time/resource management.

Were there people along the way who helped you get the career you wanted?

I have many encouraging friends, colleagues and teachers. I think it’s important to take advice from people who matter to you. In addition, I found a mentor who had experience in working in the Ministry of Health and asked them a lot of questions.

Do you have advice for anyone looking for a change from clinical practice?

The most important thing to consider is what you’re wanting from your ‘change’. Do you want to move completely away from clinical practice or is your treatment philosophy different to the practice you work in?

As I mentioned before, it’s important to remember that knowledge doesn’t always have to be through a formal qualification it can be as simple as exploring a topic you’re curious about.