NEW HORIZONS IN UNIFIED ORAL HEALTH CARE Opening Horizons Across Australia, in oral health practice, opportunities and innovation
With
Cheryl Dey,
Oral Hygienist &
President, Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA)
Nathan Clarke,
Chief Executive Officer,
Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA)
SEGMENT
Filmed in Gold Coast | October 2025
The Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA) is the peak professional association representing Oral Health Practitioners (dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists) to support and promote the continued growth and development of oral health across Australia.
OHAA was formed following the vote in December 2024 by the ADOHTA and DHAA members to form one new professional association. The Board Directors and Regional Committees are volunteers who work clinically or in the oral health profession and combined with their staff, direct their time and efforts to serving OHAA members and oral health in the community with passion and dedication.
In October 2025, OHAA held its inaugural Congress as a new association entity to celebrate and advance the shared goals of the oral health workforce and community. This year’s Congress was held to foster learning, collaboration, and growth in the field of oral health.
With the theme ”Opening Horizons Across Australia”, the Congress aimed to show the associations and its member collective commitment to broadening the scope of oral health practice, exploring new opportunities, driving innovation, and connecting professionals across the country in meaningful ways.
Australian Health Journal was invited to the Congress and met with the OHAA President and CEO.
Source: Adapted from OHAA website by AUDIENCED
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Future of minimally invasive surgery
Macquarie University Hospital is the first hospital in Australia to have three robotic surgical systems. It remains the busiest centre for robotic urology in New South Wales and has rapidly growing programs in other areas. What is behind the Hospital’s success?
Conjoint Associate Professor Walter Kmet, CEO of Macquarie University Hospital, says that the story of robotics at the Hospital is driven by its academic health sciences identity.
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Calls for National Social Prescribing Scheme
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) and Mental Health Australia are urging the government to implement a national social prescribing scheme to tackle Australia’s mental health and wellbeing crisis.
Mental ill health is a growing problem in Australia and has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2017, GPs across Australia have rated mental health as the most common presentation they see as part of the RACGP’s annual Health of the Nation survey. Approximately 20% of patients consult their GP for what are primarily social problems.
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Improvements in dental literacy and greater clinical insights through digital technology
Dr. Kenneth Soh is a General Dentist based in Kellyville, New South Wales, a suburb located in northwestern Sydney. Originally from Melbourne, he studied Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc) at Melbourne University and graduated in 2003. After working for a year in the Mornington Peninsula, Dr. Soh moved to New South Wales, initially thinking it would be temporary; however, he has been there for 19 years. While he has considered specialising, he finds joy in all aspects of dentistry.
