&geometry(706x85) "Australian Dental Industry Association")
Posted in Industry News
2026 ADIA Board Election
 "2026 ADIA Board Election")
Submit Your Nomination For Election For The 2026 ADIA Board Election
On behalf of the ADIA Board, I am calling for nominations for election to the Board of the ADIA from appropriately credentialed individuals to serve as a Director for a two-year term, commencing after the 2026 AGM in November.
The call for nominations for three Director positions will be held between 27 August and 10 September 2026.
Commitment
Directors should expect to attend quarterly board meetings in their role, as well as represent ADIA at other meetings or events as required. |
Skills and Attributes
Given the complex governance issues that are brought to ADIA Board meetings, it is expected the elected Director/s will hold a position of Proprietor / General Manager / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer within their business (whether large or small). Please distribute this communication within your organisation as appropriate. Experience in corporate law, audit and finance, human resource management or event management is highly regarded but not essential. |
Next Steps
To nominate for the election, please forward a recent photo, short bio, and a paragraph of no more than 100 words outlining your reasons for wanting to support the dental industry as an ADIA Director, to the Association by COB Monday, 24 August 2026.
Nominations are to be emailed to Kym De Britt at [email protected]
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaMember NewsCEO UpdatesADIA Board |
ADIA CEO Update: Federal advocacy in action across Adelaide
 "ADIA CEO Update: Federal advocacy in action across Adelaide")
Federal Labor Business Exchange, Adelaide
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivering the keynote address at the Federal Labor Business Exchange lunch.
On 23 and 24 July, ADIA Director of Policy and Education, Dr Sarah Raphael represented the association at the Federal Labor Business Exchange in Adelaide, held alongside the 50th Australian Labor Party National Conference.
Across the two-day program, Sarah met with senior members of the Albanese Government, including:
- Minister Mark Butler - Health and Ageing, Disability and the NDIS
- Minister Sam Rae - Aged Care and Seniors
- Assistant Minister Rebecca White - Women, Indigenous Health and Health and Aged Care
- Assistant Minister Emma McBride - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Rural and Regional Health
- Minister Tanya Plibersek - Social Services
- Assistant Minister Ged Kearney - Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence
- Minister Jess Walsh - Early Childhood Education and Youth
- Minister Anne Aly - International Development, Small Business and Multicultural Affairs
The meetings provided an important opportunity to discuss the dental industry’s priorities and strengthen relationships with ministers responsible for health, aged care, social services and small business, all which intersect with the dental industry.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered the keynote address at the Business Exchange lunch.
A Roadmap to Oral Health Reform
A significant outcome from the National Conference was the passage of an amendment to Labor’s policy platform committing the party to develop a roadmap to include dental services in Medicare. The roadmap would use a staged and evidence-based approach to improve access, prioritising people at the highest risk in the community. This represents an important policy development for oral health and provides a foundation for further engagement on how any future expansion could be designed and delivered.
 Meetings with senior members of the Albanese government. |  Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese delivering the keynote address. |
Senator Helen Polley Sees Bite Sized Beginnings in Action
The Bite Sized Beginnings Program Setup At Goodstart Early Learning Semaphore South.
Bite Sized Beginnings recently welcomed Senator Helen Polley to Goodstart Early Learning Semaphore South to see how the pilot is supporting children and families through practical oral health education and early intervention. |
Senator Polley has taken on the role of Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Dental and Oral Health alongside Dr Monique Ryan MP. During the visit, she saw firsthand how the program reaches families in a familiar and trusted early learning environment. |
She was particularly impressed by the program’s practical and accessible approach. By connecting with families in a setting they already know and trust, Bite Sized Beginnings helps make early oral health support easier to access. She is keen to stay informed as the pilot progresses and as opportunities are explored to expand the program nationally and reach more eligible children across Australia. |
Senator Helen Polley seeing Bite Sized Beginnings in action at Goodstart Early Learning Semaphore South on 23rd July 2026.
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaCEO UpdatesADIA BoardGovernment & RegulationAdvocacy |
ADIA CEO Update: ADIA Parliamentary Roundtable highlights the the value of early oral health prevention
 "ADIA CEO Update: ADIA Parliamentary Roundtable highlights the the value of early oral health prevention")
Last week ADIA returned to Australian Parliament House for its 2026 Parliamentary Roundtable. President Ryan Green together with ADIA Board directors and members met with parliamentarians and senior departmental representatives to discuss opportunities to improve oral health outcomes across Australia.
The Roundtable provided a direct forum for ADIA delegates to raise priority issues affecting the dental industry and the broader community. Discussions focused on improving awareness and uptake of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, supporting better access to oral health care in aged care, and ensuring product regulation balances patient safety expectations with the ability to foster innovative product technology in Australia.
ADIA Parliamentary Roundtable delegates at Parliament House 2026
A key focus of the day was ADIA’s Bite Sized Beginnings pilot, which attracted strong interest from both parliamentarians and senior members of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The program was recognised for its potential to support early childhood oral health education, reach families through early learning settings, and help identify oral health issues before they become serious. The discussions highlighted the value of case studies, stronger data and practical evidence to demonstrate how prevention can reduce avoidable hospitalisations and improve outcomes for children.
Senator Helen Polley sharing insights at Parliamentary Roundtable
The roundtable also marked an important advocacy milestone, with the Parliamentary Friends of Dental and Oral Health group reformed and co-chaired by Senator Helen Polley and Dr Monique Ryan MP.
ADIA welcomed this important opportunity to engage with Parliamentarians and Departmental staff and guests in a constructive day of discussion. The insights shared will help inform ADIA’s ongoing advocacy for a stronger dental industry and better oral health for all Australians.
If you would like to discuss any areas of ADIA’s Government advocacy, please get in touch with ADIA Director of Policy and Education, Dr Sarah Raphael at [email protected]
Senator Jordon Steele-John with ADIA Roundtable delegates
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaCEO UpdatesADIA BoardGovernment & RegulationAdvocacy |
Adelaide Dental Symposium Returns for 2026!
 "Adelaide Dental Symposium Returns for 2026!")
A focused day of clinical excellence, business strategy and genuine connection
Adelaide Dental Symposium returns to the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday 21 August 2026, bringing South Australia’s dental community together for a focused day of professional learning, clinical updates, business strategy and industry connection.
Designed for dental professionals who want practical ideas to take back to their teams, the 2026 symposium will feature two focused learning streams across aesthetic dentistry and practice management, an exhibition and standout keynote speakers: Todd Sampson and Turia Pitt.
Two keynote speakers you will want to hear from
This year’s program brings together two powerful keynote voices, each offering a different perspective on performance, resilience, communication and leadership.
Todd Sampson will bring his well-known insight into creativity, behaviour and big-picture thinking, giving attendees a chance to step outside the day-to-day of practice and consider how people think, make decisions and respond to challenge.
Turia Pitt will close the symposium with a keynote centred on resilience, mindset and determination. Her story is widely known, but her message continues to resonate because it is practical, human and deeply relevant to anyone working in a demanding profession.
A full day designed around real practice needs
Adelaide Dental Symposium provides a timely opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, hear from experienced presenters and connect with peers who are navigating the same opportunities and challenges. Across the program, attendees can expect practical learning, relevant discussion and the chance to explore new products, services and solutions from over 45 leading exhibitors. See the full lineup here.
Two streams of CPD
The 2026 program features two focused streams, giving attendees the flexibility to choose sessions of interest while staying part of one connected event experience. The Aesthetic Stream explores composite bonding, veneers, whitening and digital workflows, while the Practice Stream focuses on the business, operational, strategy and leadership skills that support stronger practice performance. View the full program here.
Why attend?
- Hear from Todd Sampson and Turia Pitt in two memorable keynote sessions
- Learn from an exceptional lineup of clinicians and dental experts across the Aesthetic and Practice streams
- Connect with colleagues from across South Australia’s dental community and enjoy fully catered networking breaks
- Explore the latest products, materials and practice equipment from Australia's leading dental suppliers
- Take advantage of exclusive show-day purchasing specials
- Return to work with fresh ideas and useful takeaways
Secure your spot
For dental professionals across South Australia, the Adelaide Dental Symposium is a practical opportunity to learn, connect and reset for the year ahead. With two specialist streams, a curated exhibition and keynote presentations from Todd Sampson and Turia Pitt, this is one date worth blocking out early.
| Posted in:EventsIndustry NewsExhibitions, Events & Awards |
2026-27 Federal Budget: Key measures for the dental industry
 "2026-27 Federal Budget: Key measures for the dental industry")
Key measures for the dental industry
The 2026-27 Australian Federal Budget includes a range of measures relevant to small businesses, dental suppliers, manufacturers, laboratories, practices and public oral health services. ADIA has prepared a detailed Budget Brief to help members understand the key announcements and what they may mean for the dental industry. For the dental sector specifically, the Budget confirms ongoing Commonwealth funding to support the delivery of dental care to eligible adult patients through state and territory public dental systems. In the past, this funding has only been provided as a short-term measure. The Budget also confirms ongoing access for State and Territory dental services to bill through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Public oral health services must continue to bulk bill eligible CDBS services through public-sector arrangements. This measure adds an addition source of Commonwealth funding for the State/Territory public oral health services. These are significant changes that allow the State/Territory public oral health services greater funding assurance for longer-term planning, staff recruitment and equipment procurement, which may support greater demand within the dental industry. The Budget confirms several broader small business measures, including the permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off, company loss carry-back arrangements, start-up loss refundability, R&D Tax Incentive changes, payroll and red-tape reform, and tariff simplification. These measures may support investment, cash flow, compliance and innovation across the dental supply chain. While the Budget does not include a dental-specific business package, several measures may have practical implications for ADIA members, particularly those involved in importing, manufacturing, technology development, public sector supply, clinical services and small business operations. ADIA’s Budget Brief outlines these measures, industry implications, and key watch points for members. Members are encouraged to seek professional advice where measures may affect tax planning, business structure, procurement, R&D activity or investment decisions. |
ADIA continues to advocate strongly with the Government, TGA and health stakeholders on members’ behalf. If you would like to get involved in our advocacy you can email us at [email protected]. |
| Posted in:Industry NewsGovernment & RegulationAdvocacy |
