&geometry(706x85) "Australian Dental Industry Association")
Posted in News & Media
ADIA CEO Update: 14 August 2025
 "ADIA CEO Update: 14 August 2025")
Adelaide Dental Symposium The 2025 Adelaide Dental Symposium was a great success, delivering a 10% increase in visitor numbers compared to last year’s inaugural event. The strong attendance showed how much practitioners value opportunities for professional development and networking in South Australia, as well as the chance to get hands-on with the latest dental equipment and explore recent innovations in the market. The program delivered a balance of clinical and business insights, supported by a boutique exhibition that allowed for meaningful conversations with suppliers and peers. It was our pleasure to welcome Kristy Nixon, Director of Service Quality and Performance Improvement at the South Australian Dental Service, who attended the symposium and met with several exhibitors. Kristy was particularly interested in innovative dental technology that can extend oral health services beyond traditional clinic settings, such as in aged-care facilities and rural or remote regions. I’d like to thank our speakers, exhibitors, and attendees for contributing to such a productive and energising event. Your participation helps us create a platform that not only educates but also strengthens connections within the dental community. 
ADIA 100 Years Celebration The ADIA 100-year black-tie gala was a truly special moment for our Association. More than 230 members gathered to reconnect, celebrate, and reflect on a century of growth and achievement. It was inspiring to see so many familiar faces come together, sharing stories and renewing connections that have helped shape our industry over the decades. From the heartfelt welcome by the KARI Singers to the energy and laughter of Brian Nankervis’ RocKwiz: Magic Edition, the evening was filled with moments that reminded me why our community is so strong. It wasn’t just a celebration of our history, but also of the relationships, achievements and shared commitment that will carry us confidently into the next century. Thank you to Whitely and Henry Schein One for their generous sponsorship of the event, helping us celebrate this milestone in style. 
Upcoming State Branch Briefings Our August and September State Branch Briefings are an opportunity to collaborate, share your insights, and have your voice heard on ADIA’s future direction. These briefings also allow you to network with fellow members who are equally invested in strengthening our industry. The briefings will be held in a hybrid format, giving you the flexibility to attend either in person or online. Whether you join us on site or via video link, your participation helps ensure ADIA stays responsive to the needs and priorities of its members. I look forward to seeing you there. Register now
ADX Sydney - Start Planning Now Looking ahead to our flagship event, now is the time to start planning your ADX Sydney 2026 presence. The easiest customers to sell to are the ones you already have - so use ADX as a chance to strengthen those relationships. Give your customers a reason to reconnect with your brand by inviting them to a client dinner or the Women in Dentistry breakfast, then bring them back to your stand to continue the conversation. Plan stand activities or promotions that make it worth their time to stop by. Consider your staffing needs early, and where possible, source locally to manage costs.\ By focusing on retention and deepening engagement with your existing customers, you’ll maximise your return on investment long after the event is over. 
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to strengthen and grow the Australian dental industry. |
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaCEO Updates |
News: Whiteley Champions Innovation and Community ahead of ADIA’s 100-Year Celebration
 "News: Whiteley Champions Innovation and Community ahead of ADIA’s 100-Year Celebration")
As the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) marks its centenary in 2025, one of its long-time supporters, Whiteley, is celebrating alongside, reflecting on decades of Australian innovation, research, and resilience.
“I'm looking forward to the big celebration,” said Dr Greg Whiteley, Managing Director of the company that bears his family name. “It’s a fantastic sector.”
Founded in 1933, Whiteley has grown from a small family business into Australia’s largest manufacturer of sterilants and disinfectants. From its base in Tomago, New South Wales, it now exports to over 30 countries and continues to innovate in the field of infection prevention, particularly in healthcare and dental settings.
Carl Scully, NSW Minister for Small Business and Regional Development with Whiteley Directors at the opening of the plant in June 1995.
Dr Whiteley’s own journey into the business began reluctantly. “I made sure I'd never be part of the business,” he laughed. Trained originally in environmental health, he was drawn in as the company’s focus shifted toward medical and health sectors. “It turned out my degree was almost perfect for what needed to happen.”
Since then, he’s added postgraduate qualifications in occupational health, business, and research. Today, he leads the company’s ongoing collaborations with universities, with a strong focus on practical clinical outcomes. One of the company’s signature developments is Surfex®, the world’s first dry surface biofilm remover—born from Whiteley’s obsessive focus on microbial science and infection transmission.
Whiteley Executive Chairman, Dr Greg Whiteley and NSW Member for Port Stephens, the Hon. Kate Washington MP at the opening of the company's $25 million Human Therapeutics Plant in Tomago, New South Wales.
But science aside, it’s the sense of connection that keeps him grounded. “It really is a community,” Dr Whiteley said. “A place where people support each other.” He credits much of Whiteley’s continued involvement in the sector to those long-standing relationships and the shared focus on clinical safety and infection prevention. That sense of connection, he believes, is what has sustained Whiteley through decades of change, growth, and challenge, including the collapse of their first major dental distributor in the 1980s. “You get around those things. That’s just part of the commercial reality.”
Whiteley is one of only three remaining independent manufacturers of its kind in Australia. “We had lots and lots of competitors around,” he explained. “We’re now probably the largest.”
Looking to the future, the company is preparing to open its own manufacturing operations in the United States. “We’ve been manufacturing under licence in the US for more than 30 years,” said Dr Whiteley. “One of our critical licences is coming to a close… and we’re getting ready to come on board.” Establishing its own manufacturing presence in the United States will open new avenues for growth in one of the world’s largest healthcare markets.
“Never give up. Sometimes you get it wrong… but you’ve got to keep moving forward.”
Whiteley is a big supporter of industry teaming up with universities, especially when it comes to clinical innovation. “I don't think we do nearly enough collaborative research as a sector,” said Dr Whiteley. “There’s a huge opportunity there.” He sees research-backed innovation as key to making better products and breaking into tightly regulated export markets.
As ADIA celebrates 100 years of representing Australia’s dental suppliers and manufacturers, Whiteley stands as an example of an Australian business continuing to invest in the future of healthcare, both at home and abroad. His advice after decades in the industry? “Never give up,” he said. “Sometimes you get it wrong… but you’ve got to keep moving forward.”
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaMember News |
News: Women in Dentistry Scholarship Winner 2025
Sophie Ghorbani of Dentsply Sirona receives ADIA Women in Dentistry Scholarship
The Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) is pleased to announce Sophie Ghorbani of Dentsply Sirona as the recipient of the 2025 ADIA Women in Dentistry Scholarship.
Founded in 2020, the Women in Dentistry program promotes the professional advancement of women in the oral health sector through networking, mentoring, and education. With a focus on career progression, ADIA established the Women in Dentistry Scholarship to support the development of women in the Australian dental industry. The scholarship aims to expand the recipient’s professional education and governance skillset, ultimately benefiting the broader sector.
As the 2024 recipient, Ms Ghorbani will be enrolled into the one-week residential Australian Graduate School of Management General Manager Course. "I’m incredibly grateful to receive the Women in Dentistry Scholarship and excited for the opportunities it will provide for my professional growth. I look forward to using this experience to contribute to the advancement of the dental industry and support the next generation of women in the field." Said Ms Ghorbani.
The ADIA Women in Dentistry program is proudly supported by Ramsey Property Wealth. CEO of Ramsey Property Wealth, Ewan Ramsey, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "As an organisation, we are committed to education, innovation, advocacy and delivering results, so are delighted to support the Women in Dentistry program and its mission to advance the careers of women in the dental industry. Investing in professional development and leadership opportunities is essential for building a stronger, more diverse industry, and we are proud to play a role in that progress."
This scholarship is one of several Women in Dentistry initiatives led by ADIA. Throughout the year, the association hosts free webinars designed to upskill women in the dental industry and support their advancement into senior executive and c-suite roles. “The Women in Dentistry program is all about fostering career progression and leadership opportunities for women in the dental industry. We’re proud to support initiatives like the scholarship and webinar program which empowers talented professionals to grow their skills and contribute to the future of our sector.” Said Kym De Britt, CEO of ADIA.
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaWomen In Dentistry |
ADIA CEO Update: 12 December 2024
 "ADIA CEO Update: 12 December 2024")
National Oral Health Plan Workshops On 3-4 December, Dr Sarah Raphael, ADIA Director of Policy and Education was among 28 key stakeholders who attended the co-design development workshops for the next National Oral Health Plan 2015-2034 (NOHP) in Canberra. The Commonwealth Department of Health (the Department) has established a Governance Group to lead and oversee the development of the next NOHP, which includes representation from all public oral health jurisdictions and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The role of the NOHP Governance Group is to lead the development of key focus areas and priorities of the NOHP, a performance monitoring plan to track the implementation and outcomes and an on-going governance mechanism to track the achievement and progress of the NOHP strategic objectives and goals. As part of this role, the Governance Group have assembled a NOHP Stakeholder Group. The Stakeholder Group The stakeholder group is tasked with reviewing the previous NOHP and collaboratively developing key priorities for the next NOHP. This group includes:
During the first two workshops, the Stakeholder Group facilitated by HealthConsult, provided guidance for the development of the next NOHP. Many parts of the previous NOHP remain appropriate such as the aim to target improved oral health outcomes by addressing the disparities in access to oral healthcare, especially among identified priority populations including people who are socially disadvantaged or on low incomes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people living in rural and remote areas and people with additional or specialised healthcare needs. ADIA wins on the board Membership of the NOHP stakeholder group has provided ADIA with two significant wins: Firstly, it was the first time that ADIA took a seat at the table as we were not represented in the development of Healthy Mouths, Health Lives: Australia’s National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024 or previous plans. This has resulted from ADIA’ s strategic stakeholder relationship plan building strong ties with policymakers, the Department and other key health organisations. Secondly, this opportunity has provided the platform to profile the use of innovative oral health technology to reform oral health service provision into the future. Dr Raphael highlighted with the group, the important place for technology and informatics in enabling improvements in oral health outcomes in Australia over the next decade. The final workshop, scheduled for March 2025 will then focus on the review and refinement of the draft NOPH that is being developed by the Department, following these first two workshops. Final approval of the NOHP will ultimately be from the Health Ministers’ Meeting. We will keep you informed of the progress over the coming months. If you would like to provide feedback or find out more about the NOHP or other ADIA advocacy initiatives, please contact us at advocacy@adia.org.au or call Dr Sarah Raphael on 02 8399 8707. Wishing you a safe and happy festive season! |
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaCEO Updates |
ADIA CEO Update: 14 November 2024
 "ADIA CEO Update: 14 November 2024")
Recently, we invited members to express their interest in serving on the ADIA National Board, and were pleased to receive strong interest from across our membership. Following yesterday's AGM, I am delighted to announce the re-election of Ryan Green as ADIA President. His ongoing leadership will be instrumental as we continue to advance our strategic priorities and address the evolving needs of our industry. I am also pleased to welcome three new Board Directors: Hayley Avery, CEO, STS Group, who will serve as Vice President; Michael Fahey, General Manager Commercial Dental at Henry Schein; and Michelle Gianferrari, GAICD, Prime Practice. Finally, I extend my gratitude to retiring Board Directors Craig Young, Jane Miller, and Jason Roberts for their service.
The State Chapter Elections are now complete. I am pleased to announce the leadership across Australia for ADIA is as follows:
Representing the State Chapter Presidents as a Board Director will be Hayley Avery.
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| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaCEO Updates |
