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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Integrated oral health care in midwifery practice
There is limited emphasis being placed on perinatal oral health by prenatal care providers in Australia. Pregnant women have no system in place that can offer them regular oral assessment during pregnancy and prompt dental treatment at minimal or no cost as experienced in other countries. To address the oral health needs of pregnant women, a unique midwifery initiated oral health (MIOH) model was developed to promote and maintain maternal oral health.
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Course developed for people with intellectual disability to learn about research
Scope Australia is one of the largest not-for-profit disability service providers in Australia, supporting thousands of people with complex intellectual, physical, and multiple disabilities.
They operate across Victoria and New South Wales across more than 425 service locations.Scope’s research team developed a course about what research is and how to do research. Eight people with intellectual disability did the course. Five people took part in interviews to help Scope learn about the course and how to make it better.
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Reducing patient accessibility barriers in the clinical setting
Hannah McPierzie is a globally respected presenter, disability advocate, and educator who offers a unique perspective on disability and communication. She lives with Neurofibromatosis Type 2, a rare degenerative condition, and has two auditory brainstem implants. After 15 years teaching in the disability sector, Hannah acquired disability herself in 2020, when life-saving surgery left her deafblind.
