Posted in News & Media

As the ADIA Head Office begins preparations for ADX Brisbane in earnest, I would like to draw your attention to the feedback we have received for ADX Sydney, held last month.

Both exhibitors and visitors were surveyed. This feedback helps us to improve events like ADX to ensure we are providing our members with the best business opportunities in the Australian market.

We had some great feedback on new initiatives over the last few years. There were also suggestions for improvement to both exhibitor and visitor experiences, which we have included in our planning for ADX Brisbane.

Exhibitor feedback

The feedback from exhibitors was overwhelmingly positive following ADX Sydney. Many cited the high volume of attendees, the general atmosphere on the exhibition floor, and the opportunity to once again meet face to face with clients and colleagues as highlights of the event.

Exhibitors have suggested changing the Thursday show hours, more set-up time, and colour-coded badges as areas of improvement for the event.

Visitor feedback

Visitors at ADX Sydney cited the quality of exhibitors, exhibition layout, the opportunity to meet face to face with suppliers, and expert CPD sessions as the top highlights of the show. Show atmosphere, free childcare, great deals, and giveaways also rated highly.

The attendance at ADX Sydney was quite evenly spread across each show day, with almost half of visitors staying for four hours or more.

Visitors suggested healthier food options as an area for improvement at the event

Changes to look out for at ADX Brisbane

Following feedback, we are reviewing the opening hours for Thursday. Attendees at ADX Brisbane will also notice colour-coded name badges to help differentiate between exhibitors and visitors. We are working with the venue to ensure there is a greater variety of food options on offer.

The round one booth ballot is now closed. The numbers are very encouraging with just under 100 companies taking the first 273 booths. If you would like to exhibit at ADX Brisbane and have not been in touch yet, now is the time. Please contact Jan Van Dyk to secure your place.

If you are interested in Sponsorship opportunities at the event, please contact Nikki Kelso.

Two weeks ago I outlined ADIA's focus on oral health in aged care for the coming year. As part of the Australian Oral Health Collaboration (AOHC), ADIA is working with both sides of politics to ensure the expanded scope of care in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) includes oral health.

Along with this, we are working to increase awareness of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). The CDBS is a well-funded, underutilised federal program, providing eligible children in Australia with part or the full cost of basic dental care services.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule at a Glance

• The CDBS covers part of, or the full cost of basic dental services for eligible children in Australia.
• Eligibility is based on receiving at least one payment from select Services Australia entitlements per year.
• The CDBS is available to eligible children aged 0-17 years.
• Participants can claim up to $1026 for treatment within a 2-year calendar period.
• The CDBS has an annual budget of $1.4 billion.
• More than three million children in Australia are eligible for the CDBS.

Currently, only 39% of the annual allocated budget for the CDBS is being spent. With more than three million children eligible for the CDBS and approximately $854 million going unused each year, there is a real opportunity to make a measurable difference to the health of children in Australia at no additional cost to the public.

ADIA has been in discussion with various MPs since October last year regarding the unused budget. The Association is appealing to Government to allocate a small portion of these funds to an awareness campaign.

Increased awareness of the CDBS among parents will mean the program has the potential to reach and treat a further 1.8 million eligible children in Australia biennially.

We expect to continue dialogue with both sides of politics regarding the CDBS so we are well placed to assist with improvements to the program following the election.

I would like to thank Board member, Alex Abrahams for his dedication to the cause, assistance in background research, and communication with Members of Parliament.

Work on the Child Dental Benefits Schedule and oral health in aged care are just some of the ways we are working to uphold the ADIA vision of an industry that empowers oral health professionals to advance the health and well-being of all Australians.

In late March, the Minamata Convention on Mercury had its fourth Conference of the Parties (COP4) in Bali, Indonesia. This was the first COP since Australia ratified the Convention late last year. The meeting mapped out additional annex inclusions for phase-down and/or phase-out items containing mercury. There were several items of interest and I encourage you to read the Report to Stakeholders to get an understanding of the kinds of changes on the horizon.

Of particular interest are the Annex A Part II changes relating to dental amalgam. You can read about the latest proposed phase-down measures at the bottom of this email. You can also read Annex A Part II (Dental Amalgam) in its entirety here.

It is important to note, as of 7 March 2022, Australia is now bound by the decisions of the Convention.

What is the Minamata Convention on Mercury?

The Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted in October 2013 and has the objective of protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.

Australia ratified the Minamata Convention on 7 December 2021 and is legally bound to both the treaty obligations and decisions of the COP.

The Convention entered into force for Australia on 7 March 2022.

Changes to the use of Mercury in Dentistry
(Annex A Part II Dental Amalgam)

Additional phase-down actions (by 2025) for dental amalgam:

- exclude or not allow, by taking measures as appropriate, the use of mercury in bulk form by dental practitioners; and

- exclude or not allow, by taking measures as appropriate, or recommend against the use of dental amalgam for the dental treatment of deciduous teeth, of patients under 15 years, and of pregnant and breastfeeding women, except when considered necessary by the dental practitioner based on the needs of the patient.

Quick Links

The Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Minamata Convention on Mercury text including Annex A Part II

The Minamata Convention on Mercury COP4 Report to Stakeholders

Late last week, Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese gave the Australian Labor Party’s official Budget 2022-2023 reply speech. A cornerstone of the response was improvements to aged care.

Mr Albanese highlighted five key areas the Opposition would fund should they win the election next month.

1. A commitment to have a registered nurse on-site at each RACF (Residential Aged Care Facility) 24/7

2. Mandated minimum of 215 minutes of face-to-face care per resident per day

3. A wage rise for aged care workers

4. Mandatory nutrition standards in all RACF

5. Integrity and accountability - increased powers to the Aged Care Commissioner

This focus from Labor, along with Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt’s promise of continued funding of the Dental Services for Adults scheme last week means ADIA, along with other relevant associations can continue the work we are doing in the aged care sector, regardless of the outcome of next month’s election.

Improving the oral health of Australians in aged care

Following the recent results from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and budget promises from both major parties, the ADIA, along with several other associations and stakeholder groups look forward to continued advancement in the mission to improve the oral health of older Australians.

Currently, there is $107.8 million allocated to the Dental Services for Adults scheme each year. The Australian Oral Health Collaboration (AOHC) made up of ADIA, the University of Sydney, NSW Council of Social Service, ADA NSW and Rural and Remote Health, is working with stakeholders on both sides of politics to ensure some of this funding is earmarked for programs within aged care.

The allocated funding will ensure regular, ongoing healthcare in RACF. The scope of this care will include work placement of tertiary qualified dental hygienists via a pilot program being created with the University of Sydney, with a focus on prevention and non-emergency care.

Regular contact with a dental professional and prevention education will be integral to providing Australians in RACF with care in a way that minimises cost and pain, and ensures they are treated with dignity.

The ADIA as part of the AOHC looks forward to continued dialogue and further federal commitment to this plan during and beyond the election campaign.