ADAVB 2018/2019 Annual Report

4 | A D A V B A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 / 1 9 With the support of our long-time sponsors PSA Insurance/VMIA, the ADAVB launched the Dentists Wellbeing Ergonomics Program, an online program with resources to support our members’ health. Other initiatives to support our members’ wellbeing include LifeWorks, our member assistance program, that offers free counselling advice and support for life and work challenges. The ADAVB continued to advocate for members and the community. Working with government, we were able to negotiate more reasonable regulatory requirements for IV sedation in Victoria. Without our involvement, the requirements would have led to a large regulatory burden, difficulties for our members using office sedation, and threaten the job security of our sedationist members. During the Victorian election campaign, we highlighted the need to increase public dental funding and the recognition of our members in the public sector. The Andrews Government placed greater emphasis on the dental health of Victorians and supported our members’ new EBA. We will continue to work with the Victorian Government to ensure that public funds for the Victorian school dental van program are used effectively and via existing infrastructure where possible. The ADAVB supported the ADA in challenging the controversial proposed changes by the Dental Board to the scope of dental practice of allied dental personnel. The health ministers have referred these changes to the independent body ACSQHC, to ensure they are safe and will not increase the risk to the public. We will continue to monitor the proposed changes to ensure the safety of the community when undergoing dental care. The introduction of the new membership database system and integrated website will enable the ADAVB to respond to members in a more effective and targeted manner. The new database will become more interactive, allowing members to not only change professional details and keep track of CPD, but to also allow access to member services, activities and events according to the member’s profile. Overall, the user experience will be greatly enhanced with a much easier to use and streamlined website and member dashboard. Many thanks to ADAVB CEO A/Prof Matthew Hopcraft, staff, councillors and committee members for their hard work and commitment to improve the working lives of Victorian dentists and the oral health of all Victorians. I congratulate my successor Dr Gitika Sanghvi and look forward to the continuing improvements and support our association has to offer for our members and the oral health of our community for years to come. ____________________________________ Dr Kevin Morris President 2018/19