ADIA President Update: Stakeholder Engagement

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Posted on 29 January 2026

An Update From President Ryan Green

Welcome back to what is shaping up to be a busy and important year for our industry. There is plenty ahead in 2026 to ensure that you, our valued members, can stay actively involved in your dental industry, while continuing to build on both your business and personal success.

In parallel, the ADIA Board and team remain focused on strengthening existing relationships and building new connections across the oral health sector. This work is fundamental to ensuring the dental industry moves sustainably into the future — creating a stronger environment not only for today’s businesses, but for the next generation to thrive and achieve their own goals.

With this in mind, I thought it timely to provide an update on ADIA’s recent engagement across the oral health sector and how this is supporting stronger advocacy outcomes for members.

Over recent months, ADIA has been meeting with senior executive and elected leaders from state-based Australian Dental Associations, including ADA Queensland, ADA Victoria and ADA Western Australia. While each discussion reflected local priorities, there were strong and consistent themes across all engagements.

At a national level, conversations have focused on identifying shared advocacy priorities, improving alignment on policy positions where appropriate, and ensuring the dental industry’s voice is clearly, consistently and credibly represented to government and regulators. There has also been constructive dialogue around how better coordination between national and state bodies can lead to more effective advocacy processes and stronger outcomes for the profession and the broader industry.

Across these engagements, there has been clear recognition that effective advocacy requires collaboration, clarity of roles, and a practical focus on outcomes. Where there is genuine mutual benefit, there is willingness to explore joint initiatives that support improved access to education and events, strengthen advocacy capability, and contribute to a more sustainable operating environment for the dental sector.

These discussions have also reinforced ADIA’ s role as the national body representing the dental industry — with a primary focus on national issues — while supporting state-based engagement where alignment exists and member outcomes can be enhanced.

Beyond these meetings, ADIA continues to invest in structured, sector-wide collaboration through two key forums.

Australian Oral Health Policy Institute (AOHPI)

ADIA continues to lead AOHPI. AOHPI is chaired by Dr Kathleen Matthews, with partners from The University of Sydney, The University of Melbourne, NSW Council for Social Service (NCOSS) and members who provide expertise in policy development. AOHPI aims to develop independent, authoritative and inclusive oral health policies that raise awareness and enact change for better oral health in Australia. Current areas of policy development include Aged Care, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, Water Fluoridation and the Affordability of Dental Care in Australia. Visit aohpi.org.au.

National Oral Health Sector Forum (NOHSF)

Initiated by ADIA in 2024, NOHSF provides a facilitated platform for national oral health sector association representatives to meet, discuss common goals, maximise the impact of aligned advocacy initiatives and discuss shared pain points. Held alongside ADX exhibitions in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, NOHSF has welcomed participation from key stakeholders including the Australian Dental Association (ADA), the Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA), the Australian Dental Prosthetists’ Association (ADPA), the Dental Assistants’ Professional Association (DAPA) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS). The aim is, through collaborative efforts, to present a more united voice to key policy makers on the importance of oral health in overall health and wellbeing.

We will continue to keep members updated as these conversations progress. One of the best ways to stay informed is by attending our quarterly State Branch Briefings, which provide timely updates and an opportunity to ask questions and connect with fellow ADIA members. If you’re unable to attend, please feel free to get in touch with us via email at any time.

Wishing you a very successful year in 2026.

By:ADIA