ADAVB 2018/2019 Annual Report

1 8 | A D A V B A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 / 1 9 Defence Advisory Committee The primary role of the Defence Advisory Committee (DAC) is to provide advice on clinical and other dental- related matters to the ADAVB’s professional indemnity insurer and solicitors. In 2018/19, the main activities included: • Bi-monthly meetings to discuss new cases and the status of existing cases • Publication of articles in the Victorian Dentist and the Australian Dento-Legal Review to update members on developments in the dento-legal area, explaining members’ obligations and the current problems associated with new and existing laws, and trends such as health fund audits, Medicare and dental corporates • Contacting certain members to counsel them on their behaviour and, where necessary, arrange for them to obtain extra clinical teaching to improve their skills. The DAC is concerned about the numbers of cases where members are undertaking treatment that is beyond their level of expertise. This can lead to poor outcomes and unhappy patients. The subsequent legal redress is unpleasant for all and does not reflect well on the dental profession. There has been a rapid increase in claims against general practitioners undertaking orthodontic treatment and the surgical placement of osseo integrated implants. This is reflected in the increase in premiums for these members. The committee noted the need for committee membership to better reflect the diversity of ADAVB membership. This will be addressed when future committee members are sought and appointed. A big thank you to committee members Dr Greg Barton, Dr Igor Cernavin, Dr David Curnow, Dr Gabriella Ward, Dr Paul Wright, and new members Dr Susan Wise and Dr Chris Sanzaro, who volunteer their free time for the benefit of our members. Their wise counsel is much appreciated. Thank you also to Ms Alison Rowe, Ms Vicki Tziourtzias and Ms Christie Boucher from Guild Insurance; Ms Kellie Dell’Oro and Mr Tamir Katz from Meridian Lawyers; and Ms Caroline Rubira and Mr Jon Minter from K&L Gates. Dr Kip Homewood Chair CPD Committee and CPD unit Dr Adam Keyes-Tilley was appointed committee chair in September 2018 following the resignation of Dr Ben Keith who had generously served as chair for seven years. Drs Gordon Burt, Michael Mladenovic and Jacki Goode also resigned as members of the committee. Associate Professor Phillippe Zimet, and Drs Kate Burgess, Livia Naharnowicz and Julie Savage joined as members of the committee. The committee is well supported by a professional ADAVB staff team, which delivers more than 40 CPD activities annually. As chair, I am honoured and thrilled to be working with the committee and staff. I thank everyone involved, including past committee members, for their contributions and wonderful work for this significant membership service. I am looking forward to building future CPD courses in collaboration with ADAVB affiliates, regional groups and branches for a wider outreach to dentists and their dental teams at any stage in their career. Dr Adam Keyes-Tilley Chair