Advocacy Overview

The dental industry comprises businesses that range in size from small family entities through to local operations of large, multinational therapeutic product suppliers. They share common aspirations for the growth of their business, the creation of jobs and the financial sustainability of the dental industry. Naturally, they are bound by a universal commitment to the supply of quality dental products and services. To excel, these businesses will benefit from a robust advocacy program by ADIA on behalf of those members to achieve a considered balance between economic growth that maximises patient safety.

As the peak business organisation representing dental product manufacturers and suppliers, the ADIA is regularly engages with key political decision makers including Departmental staff and members of state and Federal Parliament. This has culminated in the formation of the Parliamentary Friends of the Dental Industry group, comprising Members of Parliament and Senators with an interest in the ongoing success of the dental industry for the good of all Australia.

ADIA's work at a parliamentary level maintains ADIA's status as a recognised source of sound advice and guidance and supports our advocacy for ongoing improvements to the business and political environment in which members conduct their business. ADIA is therefore able to be an effective advocate for the reform objectives set out in ADIA's policy statements.

Underpinning Parliamentary Engagement Principles

ADIA is non-partisan (non-party political)
ADIA provides advice and recommendations that are:
- ADIA demonstrate leadership, will be trustworthy, and will act with integrity
- All donations and memberships are made transparently and in accordance with internal controls

Parliamentary Engagement Objectives

Maintain among parliamentarians ADIA's status as a recognised source of sound advice and guidance
Achieve the reform objectives set out in the ADIA Advocacy Agenda and policy statements
The high levels of access to senior parliamentarians that ADIA enjoys and the ability to achieve lasting reform is the product of a considered strategy that views parliamentarians as an important partner as opposed to a third-party stakeholder. Over many years, ADIA has created an environment where there is a shared interest in ensuring that businesses in the dental industry can grow, create jobs and operate sustainably

ADIA's Parliamentary Roundtable

Australia's dental industry faces a number of challenges arising out of changes from the commercial, technical and regulatory environment as a result of international and domestic influences. To ensure that Australia's political leadership understands the issues face by the dental industry, each year the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) convenes a meeting at Parliament House in Canberra.

This annual meeting allows the ADIA National Executive and key member representatives to meet Parliamentarians and senior bureaucrats in order to share ideas and identify a pathway that allows the dental industry to grow, create jobs and operate sustainably.

Further Information

If you have an interest in ADIA's work at a parliamentary and departmental level to secure the policy reforms that support businesses in the dental industry, for updates subscribe to the Twitter feed @AusDental or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dental.industry. Alternatively, you can contact the Association via email at advocacy@adia.org.au or by telephone on 1300 943 094.

This information is available for your use under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia license, with the exception of the ADIA logo, other images and where otherwise stated.

ADIA Advocacy Update: August 2025

Posted by ADIA on 12 August 2025

There has been plenty of recent activity in the Advocacy Space. Last week during Dental Health Week, ADIA held its second Adelaide Dental Symposium and hosted a South Australian Dental Service key stakeholder, Ms Kristy Nixon. Kym De Britt, CEO provided a guided tour of the Exhibition, showcasing our members' innovative technology, that is facilitating dental treatment outside of traditional dental clinics, including mobile dental carts, scanners and 3D printers.

In other news, ADIA has been met with several other dental sector association leaders, including Nathan Clarke, the CEO of the newly-formed Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA). OHAA has formed from the merger of Dental Hygienists Association of Australia (DHAA) and the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association (ADOHTA). In addition, ADIA participated in final workshop for the development of the next National Oral Health Plan which sets out the strategic focus for improvements in Australia’s oral health over the next decade.

ADIA has partnered with Colgate on two projects to raise the awareness of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule to eligible families. Firstly, including our ADIA CDBS Information brochures in Foodbank NSW School Breakfast Hampers (pictured) and also within G8 Early Learning Centres.

Our Director of Policy and Education, Dr Sarah Raphael and Technical Team member, Dr Joanne Challinor-Rogers participated in the Medical Technology Association of Australia, Regulatory Summit in July. To catch the regulatory information from the summit, which included global and TGA presenters, as well as news from the forthcoming TGA Regulatory and Technical Forum, join the Technical Forum at 1pm on Tuesday 2nd September. Register here

To get involved in ADIA Advocacy or share your thoughts and ideas, please contact Dr Sarah Raphael by emailingsarah.raphael@adia.org.au

ADIA Brochures and Colgate Education kits being prepared for the Foodbank NSW Breakfast program.

Posted in:Industry News Government & Regulation Advocacy

Standards Australia Consultation - August 2025

Posted by ADIA on 29 July 2025

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA CONSULTATION: DR AS/NZS 5369:2023 AMENDMENT

Standards Australia have a current consultation open until 22 September 2025 on amendments to:

DR AS/NZS 5369:2023 Reprocessing of reusable medical devices and other devices in health and non-health related facilities.

These amendments are centred on updates that result from the amendment of ISO 11139:2018/Amd 1:2024, 3.214.2 including impacts on sterilzation processes and process challenge devices.

To review the proposed amendment to the Standard, you are required register with Standards Australia. All comments are made online via the consultation portal.

Please follow these steps to provide your feedback.

Register and Log in

Visit Standards Australia
Hover on Committee Access - the blue heading on the top right of the menu bar.
Click on Public Comment where the list of open consultations will be listed.
Type "5369" in the Search Drafts bar.
If you are registered for Standards Australia - log on here. If you are not registered you can follow the prompts to register.

Providing feedback

Once you have registered and logged in:

Click on DR AS/NZS 5369:2023 Amd 1:2025.
Comments can be made throughout the sections of the document by either:

Clicking the sections on the Table of Contents; or
By using the Previous and Next buttons on the top right corner; or
Comments can be made by clicking on the Add Comment button at the end of each section.
Alternately, general comments can be made at the bottom of the "Draft Details" page.

Need help?

Additional help is available at the Help Guide to assist in navigating the Public Comment Portal.

If you require further information please email ADIA Director of Policy and Education, Dr Sarah Raphael

Posted in:Industry News Government & Regulation Advocacy

ADIA CEO Update: Advocacy

Posted on 30 October 2023

ADIA was pleased to have the opportunity to continue its advocacy work last week in Canberra.

ADIA staff met with a range of Parliamentarians and advisors last Thursday to discuss initiatives to improve oral health services for people in Australia.

Meetings were held with Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP, Member for Higgins and Dr Monique Ryan MP, Member for Kooyong. Staff also met with advisors for Zali Steggall MP, Member for Warringah, Dr Anne Webster MP, Member for Mallee, and Wendy Askew, Senator for Tasmania and member of the Senate Select Committee.

Pictured right: (L-R) Stephanie Wells (ADIA), Dr Monique Ryan MP, Dr Sarah Raphael (ADIA)

Stephanie Wells, Dr Monique Ryan MP, and Dr Sarah Raphael photo

ADIA provides evidence to Senate Select Inquiry into the Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia.

On Friday, 20 October Dr Sarah Raphael gave evidence on behalf of ADIA in the final hearing of the Senate Select Inquiry into Dental Services in Australia. She was joined by representatives from the Dental Board of Australia, Australian Dental Association and Australian Dental Prosthetists Association.

Sarah provided evidence on the need for national leadership in the sector in the form of a Chief Oral Health Officer, the need for federal support for priority population access to oral health services, and the various ways technology can reduce cost, tackle waiting lists, and improve clinical outcomes.

We will share the recommendations of the final report due to be released in late November via this update. We will continue to advocate for better access to oral health services for people in Australia through sensible, solution-focused strategies on behalf of our members.

If you would like any more information or have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to do so by email.

Posted in:Industry News News & Media CEO Updates Advocacy

ADIA CEO Update: Sarah Raphael

Posted by ADIA on 17 August 2023

The Australian Dental Industry Association welcomes Sarah Raphael as Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager.

Sarah has over thirty years’ experience spanning clinical practise, teaching and learning, policy and advocacy and research. Her roles have spanned government, academia, corporate and not-for-profit settings, including non-executive board experience. Originally trained as a Specialist Paediatric Dentist, she possesses a unique skill set with strengths in communication, critical thinking and strategic vision. She is highly self-motivated and innovative with a strong belief in teamwork and collaborative design.

Sarah Raphael - Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager at ADIA

Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, Sarah Raphael

Most recently working in senior management at the Australian Dental Association NSW, Sarah was instrumental in steering advocacy and volunteerism within the profession and community. In her role as Engagement and Advocacy Executive, Sarah was responsible for driving improvements in the areas of community water fluoridation, aged care, rural and remote health and developed and fostered key relationships with government and external stakeholders. As General Manager of Filling the Gap charity, that provides pro bono dental services for disadvantaged people, Sarah grew the organisation, developing the first strategic plan, securing government and industry partnerships, private funding and working towards ensuring the sustainability of the pro bono dental programs offered in NSW and the ACT.

With Sarah’s return to the dental industry, she will draw upon her experience, having consulted for over a decade with Colgate Oral Care, Australia. She is thrilled to be able to join ADIA where she will continue to drive their advocacy priorities. Sarah’s vision for the future to enable the next generation of health professionals to make a meaningful difference and to continue advocating for equity of access to health in our community is well-aligned with the mission and values of ADIA.

If you would like any more information or have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to do so by email.