5 minute read
Are we being heard?
Our Association is beginning to find its voice and has seen some impressive results already; but there are still plenty of campaigns for us to get behind
Bill Suen DHAA CEO
THE YEAR 2022 sees the DHAA Federal Pre-Budget Submission calling for the establishment of a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme, funding for on-site aged care oral health services and consumer oral health promotion targeting the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) population. While the success rate for Federal Pre-Budget Submissions are very low due to the large volume of submissions from competing parties, these submissions are part of the advocacy measures that keep important issues on the radar of politicians and government officials.
Over the past couple of years, the DHAA Board has been taking a focused and coordinated approach by prioritising our advocacy efforts on provider numbers, aged care and oral health promotion. As a small professional peak association with very limited resources, strategic focus and operational efficiency is critical if we are to have a reasonable return from our efforts.
The successful Bad Mouth Campaign was highly disciplined and coordinated with volunteers across the country approaching politicians and stakeholders with clear and consistent messages that resulted in the government agreeing to the policy change that provides our profession access to commonwealth provider numbers. At the moment we are working with the Department of Health and Services Australia towards implementing the change from 1 July this year. Work is in progress with various private health insurance companies to negotiate flow on changes in the private sector that will make a significant impact to our profession. We have also received invitations by dental decision groups to participate in various policy advisory groups such as the Dental Benefits Act Review Committee and the Dental Feasibility Study Expert Reference Group.
With the anticipated access to provider numbers and the likely flow on to private health insurance over the coming months, there is a need for practice guidelines and education to prepare the profession for the change. DHAA is in the process of establishing an expert advisory group to oversee these supporting activities as well as providing advice to internal and external stakeholders.
The Aged Care Program launched last year set an ambitious goal of having 50% of Australian aged care facilities being serviced by an oral health professional on site within five years. To achieve this in a sustainable way we need to advocate for funding, build capacity, provide professional leadership and increase community awareness. Again this requires a highly coordinated and focused approach linking advocacy, education and clinical governance. With the support of a passionate and highly skilled Aged Care Special Interest Group, we saw our first graduates from the education program last month, ready to attend RACFs on site. We have also begun making presentations on our program to various government officials and aged care facilities.
Oral health promotion is a much broader project; while everyone recognises the importance of prevention, very little is being done in practice by governments, stakeholders and the professions due to other more pressing priorities. The DHAA will continue to put this item on the radar of the government and the public using all possible means so that it is not forgotten. Through our association with the International Federation of Dental Hygiene, we are also hoping to move a motion to make oral health promotion an International health priority.
To further support our advocacy focus, we have now consolidated all small grant moneys within DHAA into a single research fund, with the aim of fostering research projects that support our advocacy goals.
By coordinating our advocacy, education, research and clinical governance activities towards our priorities, we are making better use of our limited resources. We have had some success and are beginning to be heard. There is a lot more to be done, and we need more support from members on the ground to amplify our voices across the country in a coordinated manner. I am calling for DHAA Members to be part of this coordinated movement. There are many different ways you can contribute - in education events, meeting with local politicians and/or government departments, conducting or being involved in projects/pilot studies, sharing your experience and skills by serving on special interest groups or state committees. Please contact me at ceo@dhaa.info or 0412 831 669 if you wish to explore opportunities to be involved and help make progressive changes for our profession.
While not everyone is in the position to contribute through these working groups and committees, individuals may support the cause by being a member of the association, coming along to the National Symposium where you can share your ideas and experience with your peers, and enticing colleagues to be involved with DHAA activities. Every bit helps and collectively we can achieve a lot.
Let’s be heard - loud and clear!
