Tuesday 27 November 2018

Photo caption: (L-R) ADA NSW President, Neil Peppitt; NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard; Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Kate Miranda; ADA NSW CEO, Stes Stengos.

ADA NSW met with NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, today to discuss a range of oral health issues ahead of the state election in March.
 
We raised a range of issues with the Minister, including the infection control audits, private mobile dental vans in schools, the need for prevention programs targeting toddlers and support for ADA NSW’s dental aid programs. We also handed the Minister a copy of our submission on scope of practice, which details our support for the retention of the Structured Professional relationship and particular concerns around the potential ability to extend scope via CPD rather than an accredited course of study.
 
Regarding infection control audits, we are seeking further information as to when and how the audits will be conducted. The Minister has undertaken to help us circulate information to all school principals in NSW outlining our concerns around private mobile dental vans visiting schools and claiming the CDBS without parents present when treatment is being performed. We also discussed the need for toddlers to visit the dentist before the age of two and the lack of information about oral health care for children in the My Personal Health Record (the Blue Book). The Blue Book is given to every parent on the birth of their child and has important health and child development information. The Minister has asked the Health Department to review the information on oral health care in the Blue Book.
 
We will continue to follow up with the Minister on issues impacting the profession and the oral health of the people in our communities.