Biography

Dianna Magliano obtained her Bachelor of Applied Science degree (with Honours) in 1994. As an undergraduate, she was conferred the Mary Dimitriakis Award for virology research as well as several other academic awards. From 1995 to 1998, as an Australian Post Graduate Award Scholar, she completed a PhD at the Macfarlane Burnet Centre on the molecular biology of Rubella Virus followed by a post-doctoral position in the Chromosome Research Group at the Murdoch Institute. In 2000, she began a Master of Public Health and started work as a Research Fellow at the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University. In 2002, Dr Magliano was awarded a National Heart Foundation of Australia Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship to conduct research into risk prediction of cardiovascular disease. In 2005, she joined the International Diabetes Institute as a senior epidemiologist. Her core research interests include diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. In this role, she conducts a wide range of research for the AusDiab study centred on epidemiological modeling of diabetes and obesity. She also maintains her part time lecturing position in the Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine where she co-ordinates an Introduction to Epidemiology subject and lectures in public health based subjects. In 2007, she became a voting member of the Human Ethics Committee for the BakerIDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. Recently she led a team which developed a diabetes risk prediction tool (AUSDRISK) which is now being used in general practice all over Australia. She is a regular reviewer for the key Diabetes Care, Diabetologica, Diabetic Medicine and other diabetes based epidemiological journals. Dr Magliano appears in the national media (print and radio) a number of times per year- due to publicity generated by her research findings. In 2011, she was awarded the Victorian Cancer Agency fellowship to examine the relationship between diabetes and cancer and was also the recipient of a 2011Winston Churchill fellowship. She also co supervises honours and PhD students.

Dr Magliano is involved with a team of consultants (unpaid) who work with the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life in Mauritius to improve the health care across the island. Working mainly in the area of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, she has supervised the running of several studies in the country and has trained staff in the conduct of epidemiological studies. Dr Magliano also conducts short courses on epidemiology and statistics for the pharmaceutical industry.

Career interruptions

There are several things which have impacted Dr Magliano’s research progress. 1. A career shift 1.5 years after PhD graduation from molecular biology to epidemiology & public health (2001), 2. Periods of 7 months maternity leave (2002 -2003), and 3. Part time status (0.6- 0.8fte) since January 2003 until May 2005. 

Grant funding

Dr Magliano has been involved as a Chief Investigator in the receipt of NHMRC, ARC and Diabetes Australia Research grants to the total of 1.6 million. In 2011 and 2012 she was CIA two NHMRC project grants ($396,000) and ($398,000), respectively.

Associate Professor Stuart Dashper is a Principal Research Fellow in the Melbourne Dental School at the University of Melbourne and a Project Manager in the Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre.

He has been investigating the microbial aetiology of the two most common infectious diseases of humans, Periodontitis and Dental Caries for over twenty years at molecular, cellular and individual levels. He has developed novel technologies to understand how oral bacteria interact with each other, form polymicrobial biofilms and how and why these biofilms become pathogenic.

The aim of this research is to understand how bacteria cause oral diseases and develop new targeted therapeutic and preventive strategies. This research has been supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the National Institutes of Health (USA) for the last 15 years. In that time he has authored over 50 original articles in international scientific journals, book chapters and is an inventor on eight patents, most of which are currently under licence for commercial development.

Stuart developed the Oral Microbiology curricula for both the Bachelor of Oral Health and Bachelor of Dental Science at the Melbourne Dental School and has been lecturing to undergraduate and graduate students for 15 years. He has supervised ten PhD students many of whom have won global International Association for Dental Research (IADR) postgraduate awards for excellence in research.

Stuart was awarded the IADR /Glaxo Smith Kline Innovation in Oral Care Award in 2009. He is an active member of the Australian Society for Microbiology and has been on the organising committee of both IADR and ASM conferences. He is invited to present his work regularly to a range of audiences both nationally and internationally.

Professor Thomas is presently director of the Biofilm Research Laboratory for Translational Studies in Medicine, Dentistry and Industry at West Virginia University.

He created the International Tri-University Biofilm Research Consortium in 2002 to further global investigations and education (www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/pathology/thomas) and has published extensively on diverse microbial topics in more than 75 papers, 11 textbook chapters and 6 booklets. The ongoing support of a NIH grant since 1997 enables Professor Thomas to continue his significant work during his long career.

Professor Thomas integrates four academic and educational positions at West Virginia University: School of Medicine, Pathology, School of Dentistry, Periodontology, School of Pharmacy, and Graduate School, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology. His most recent leadership position is via the School of Dentistry in developing the program ‘Why not me?’ for undergraduate, graduate and post graduate public health professionals. This aged care program parallels the same public health initiative already established for children in West Virginia thus supporting the continuum of oral health care across the lifespan.

He also holds teaching positions at Rutgers University and internationally is a Visiting Professor (Honorary) at Cardiff University, School of Dental Medicine and National University of Singapore, School of Dentistry. At West Virginia University, he has mentored 13 postgraduate dental students and received the Student Research Faculty Mentor award (elected by students) numerous times. As a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the American Dental Association, Professor Thomas is recognized by his peers as a significant contributor in the ongoing evolution of health care practice. 

Synopsis:
The emergence of a greater understanding of the complexities of dental plaque biofilm should provide the health practitioner with an increased array of options to support the maintenance of health. However, we are still bearing witness to dental treatment plans and recommendations for daily home care that do not reflect this increase in knowledge. The almost exclusive focus on removal of the dental plaque biofilm rather than considering balance management is not aligned with the current foundation of knowledge. The impact of an unbalanced oral flora in allowing some species (bacteria and fungi) to proliferate can be devastating to the maintenance of health throughout our lifetime. As the population ages across the globe, health care practitioners will be challenged with providing care for the individual or community that reflects consequences of disease management throughout their life. In the environment of aged care, critical and palliative care, management of the oral flora can quite literally be the difference between life and death. Aspiration pneumonia and ventilator associated pneumonia are just two of the common, largely preventable diseases that present in these environments of care. This presentation will briefly revisit the current understanding of the dental plaque biofilm as a prelude to defining management criteria for disease prevention throughout the lifetime. In particular, Professor Thomas will share his work from programs developed with nursing staff in long term care facilities – ‘Why is oral health important in the ICU?’ – as part of the future considerations of the role for dental hygienists.

This paper will review patterns of illicit drug use among young people in Australia. It will briefly discuss reasons for use, patterns of harms more generally and then focus on effects on oral health more specifically.  In general terms the role for dental health practitioners in  assessment, psycho-education and brief advice will be provided along with information on resources and referral.

Professor Jan Copeland (PhD, BSc Psych (Hons)) is the founding Director of the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC) at the University of New South Wales since 2007. She has worked in the addictions field for 23 years over a range of topics including women’s treatment, monitoring systems for treatment outcome and psycho-stimulants. She is best known for her studies developing and testing brief interventions for the management of cannabis use disorder among adults and adolescents. She has around 250 publications and is involved in a number of community agencies. These include as Chair of the Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre and as a director on the Board of Management of The McGrath Foundation’s Odyssey House. Among other editorial roles she is currently an Associate Editor of Drug and Alcohol Dependence. She is a member of the US College on Problems of Drug Dependence and is Chair of their international research committee. Additional memberships include the Australian Psychological Society, Australian Professional Society of Alcohol Drugs and the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions. 

Dr Ford graduated from The University of Queensland in 1989 with BDSc(Hons). After 9 years in general dental practice, she enrolled in a PhD to study the association of periodontal and cardiovascular diseases. Dr Ford was appointed as Lecturer in Oral Biology in the School of Dentistry, UQ in 2005 and was awarded her PhD in 2006. In 2008 she was appointed as Senior Lecturer in Dentistry. Dr Ford teaches Oral Health and Dentistry students at the University of Queensland and is a member of the UQCCR Oral Cancer Research Program. Her research interests focus on the social and health system aspects of oral cancer: risk factors, early detection and health services. Dr Ford is also active in working with groups who may have difficulty accessing good oral health care, such as Indigenous Australians and the homeless community. She is an Australian Dental Association (Qld Branch) Councillor, member of the Australian Dental Research Foundation Research Advisory Committee, International Association for Dental Research (ANZ Division) Councillor and Research Advisor to the Oral Health Clinical Education and Training Unit in Queensland Health.

Margaret Pukallus completed a certificate in school dental therapy from Yeronga School Dental Therapy Training Centre (1981), a graduate diploma in Health Promotion from QUT (1986), Academic Upgrade for School Dental Therapists from UQ and QUT (2000) and a Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) from QUT (2003). She has worked for Queensland Health for the past 30 years and is currently completing a MPhil at UQ.

Kathryn Plonka graduated from UQ with a Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Oral Health) (2002), Research Honours (2004) and from QUT with a Grad Cert in Health Management (2006). She has worked for Queensland Health for the past 9 years and was awarded a 5 year Health and Medical Research fellowship with Queensland Health in 2010. She is currently completing her PhD at the UQ.

There are many interesting programs being developed that aim to improve the oral health of our ageing Australian population. The dental hygienist is integral to the success of most these initiatives. In this presentation, Clare explores the barriers to the provision of dental services in residential aged care facilities. She hopes to motivate people to stop the repetitive nature of aged care research and influence positive change that will enable patient-focused dental care for older Australians.

Biography

Clare works for NSW Health at the Westmead Centre for Oral Health in the Special Care and Oral Medicine Department. There she has been responsible for the development of a domiciliary dental service for the elderly and a mentoring program for hygienists and oral health therapists. Clare recently took up position with the South Australian Dental Service in the Special Needs Unit and is a clinical tutor for the BOH at Adelaide University. Clare completed her Masters of Philosophy (Dent) at Sydney University in 2012. Her thesis was titled Oral Health Care Interventions in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

In 1985 Hellen Checker commenced a welfare degree and worked as an insurance underwriter in Sydney. From 1987 Hellen worked as a DA in Kings Cross and in an orthodontic practice in Wimpole Street, London and later in a rural practice in Scotland. She worked in a Military Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia until 1994 and participated in Saudi national training programs. Returning from the Middle East Hellen graduated with DDH Adelaide in 1996 and studied 12 months of politics and language in 1997.

Hellen was employed by the SA Dental Service in 1997 in orthodontics, special needs and at the Julia Farr Centre. She has spent the last 14 years in private practice in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Darwin, Broken Hill and Perth and worked for the University of Adelaide as clinical tutor BOH 3 year.

Hellen is employed 37.5 hours a week in private practice in Subiaco in Perth and is the National President of the Dental Hygienists’ Association Australia Inc.

Professional Association includes:

• Member of the Dental Hygienists’ Association of Australia:
• 2009, 2010 President DHAA SA
• TAFE Advisory Committee 2007-2010
• Lift the Lip 2007-2010
• Participated in National Oral Health Plan stakeholders 2009 Adelaide
• Oral Health Advisory Committee (SA State Oral Health Plan) 2008-2009 as observer
• Aged Care Program DHAA SA 2008-2010, National Aged Care Program 2012
• Masters of Oral Health University Advisory Committee 2010
• Continuing Professional Development Committees 2009-2012
• National Council DHAA and Leadership Council 2007-2011
• National Symposium Committee 2009, 2010-2011- 2012
• Internal Examiner BOH Adelaide University 2010
• Research Committee DHRF 2010-2011- 2012
• DVA Working Council and lobbied for changes to re-instate hygiene services for DVA patients        
• 2011- 2012 National President DHAA Inc.

Community Projects

• Aged Care Program Chair 2008 Resources Kits SA and Nationally 2012, and volunteers educating staff in aged care facilities
• Visits to community clubs including bowling clubs, aged care facilities promoting oral health
• Oral health promotional events including Dental Health Weeks and Oral Health Month 2007-2009, 2010 2011
• Introduced Rural and Remote Resource Kits for National Program
• 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 volunteer working trip to Vietnam with DHAA treating children with ART in the Long Tan Clinic.
• Establishing volunteer dental projects for Indigenous health working with NGO’s and other volunteer service providers
• National Dental Foundation: The Dental Rescue Day Volunteer

Melanie is a Lecturer at the University of Newcastle and also practises as a dental hygienist in a periodontal practice in Newcastle. She completed her Bachelor of Oral Health in 2007, and then completed an Honours program achieving First Class honours and a Faculty Medal. She is currently completing a PhD examining the occupational health of dental hygienists, with a particular focus on musculoskeletal pain. Melanie has had a number of papers published in peer reviewed journals, co-authored a book chapter and presented her research at a number of national and international conferences.

Synopsis:

It is well recognised that work-related musculoskeletal pain is a significant occupational health issue for dental professionals. Recent research undertaken here in Australia has determined that despite a relatively young profession who have completed baccalaureate education and training, many dental hygienists are suffering from work-related pain. While there are numerous predictors of pain, protective factors were also noted, which included wearing loupes and ergonomics education. The concepts behind the use of loupes to prevent musculoskeletal pain will be explored, as will the findings from a recently completed project investigating the use of loupes among hygienists with existing pain

Position: Lecturer in Oral Health, University of Queensland

Carol is an Oral Health Therapist who graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2008. Since 2010, she is currently working at the School of Dentistry in UQ as Year 1 BDSc and BOralH coordinator, course coordinator for ‘Introduction to clinical practice’ and also as a clinical supervisor in for dental students in periodontics.

Carol’s research experience began in 2007 at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and she will commence her PhD studies this year. Her research interests include clinical cariology and safe debridement methods on dental implants.

Carol also holds a position on the editorial boards for the DHAA and ADOHTA journals, she has published in national and international journals and co-supervised a number of dental student’s research projects.

Her clinical experience includes working in private and public dental practices in Queensland and Victoria. In her free time, she also works in private general and specialist periodontal practices in Queensland.

Title: Association between plaque micro-environments and dental caries risk

Abstract: Conventional plaque disclosing using erythrosine (FD&C red #3) shows patients areas where oral hygiene needs to be improved1. In March 2011 a new plaque disclosing system which stains plaque in three colours (pink, blue/violet and aqua green) according to its age and acid production was released (GC TriPlaque™ ID).2 This contains 0.6% Rose Bengal and Brilliant Blue FCF dyes as well as glucose. A thin deposit of immature plaque will stain pink/red, while thick mature deposits (> 48 hours) stain blue/violet, and regions of acid production after glucose challenge (pH < 4.5) stain aqua green, signifying a high risk biofilm environment for developing dental caries.

The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that the presence of cariogenic bacteria is greatest in areas of thick mature plaque which stain aqua green because they produce acid after glucose challenge. This will hopefully provide information about the presence and number of cariogenic bacteria in areas of plaque which stain pink, dark blue and aqua green through various proven quantitative techniques. 

Biography

Kelsey Moore graduated from the Bachelor of Oral Health program at the University of Queensland in 2009.  Kelsey has worked in both private and public sectors and has a clinical and research interest in oral health and its influence on general health and wellbeing. Kelsey is currently enrolled in a Master of Philosophy research higher degree at the University of Queensland with the Oral Oncology Research Program, and complements study with clinical practice and teaching at the School of Dentistry (UQ).

Research title: The support needs of oral cancer patients and quality of life implications.

Synopsis:

Oral cancer and its treatment has a significant physical and psychological burden for those diagnosed with the illness, reflecting the mouth’s central role in the ability to eat, speak and interact with others. The project aims to describe the support needs and quality of life issues experienced by individuals with oral cancer throughout the cancer journey, with a view to providing recommendations to address these unmet support needs.

Motivational Interviewing: Practical Tips for Enhancing Motivation and Helping People Change

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a style of communication from clinicians that invites patients to explore their own motivations, ultimately helping clients to articulate their argument for change and make commitments regarding actual change. MI helps the clinician to work with the patient, avoid resistance or discord, and enhance the chances that the patient will follow through on their health behaviour change. This one hour session will provide a brief background to MI and practical strategies that clinicians can immediately begin implementing at work, more specifically tying these MI skills to chairside smoking cessation support which can then be used in the clinical situation.

Cassandra Stone was registered as an RN in 1980 and has been working a vast array of fields since then, including ICU, Medical, Surgical, CCU and trained as a Midwife. Cassandra moved into the Renal field in 1990. She was NUM for 12 years before moving across to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Casandra was endorsed as a Nurse Practitioner in January 2008. She conducts 3-4 CKD clinics per week as well as being involved in ACNP - Qld secretary, attend high level meetings, conduct research and education

Gill Dicker is an Endorsed Nurse Practitioner and Credentialled Diabetes Educator currently working within the Chronic Disease Diabetes Logan Service, Community & Primary Health. Metro South Health Service District based at Logan Hospital. She has extensive experience in diabetes education and management working as a Diabetes Nurse Educator in both the adult and paediatric populations, in community and hospital settings since 1998. She became a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) in 2006 and an Endorsed Nurse Practitioner in 2011.  She has extensive experience working with Clients with all types of diabetes (including Type 1, Type 2, Secondary and diabetes in Pregnancy) across the lifespan in both community and acute settings. Her special areas of interest include Diabetes in Pregnancy, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and diabetes in Younger Clients. She is also the QLD Clinical Co-ordinator for the University of Technology Sydney post Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management Course and is also the current Qld State Chair of Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA).

Biography

Lecturer and Manager Community Outreach School of Dentistry and Senior Educator Dental Hygienist Special Needs Unit ADH

.

I was a late comer to dentistry, and have managed to pack as much as possible into my life since.

I consider myself a very privileged professional having worked for the past 20 years in Special Needs and Aged care and have had the immense satisfaction of setting up a dental clinic through the University of Adelaide School of Dentistry that provides dental care for people who are Homeless, Refugees and people who may find access to conventional dental care prohibitive

Working with numerous colleagues, dentist and dental hygienists, e.g. Dr John Mc Intyre, Dr Liz Coates, Dr John Kaidonis, has been inspirational in providing the impetus to develop materials and programmes to assist with advocacy and care for underserved individuals in our community.

A phrase that captures my belief in enthusiasm: "To succeed, one cannot afford to be a realist." -  Albert Bandura contemporary Psychologist 

Synopsis

“Oral Health for Those Who Care”

Aged Care and Special Needs require similar considerations in that in the aging process there are frequently physical and psychological changes that occur and require special care.

This educational package is divided into portfolios that can be matched and utilised across the dental and supported care services ranging from acute care to general maintenance with the continuum linking the importance of optimal oral health care to improved general health outcomes.

Aged care is of concern to the “baby boomers” so the aim of this package is to offer a wide range of health care providers some helpful information regarding dental care, and education that is transferrable across disciplines.

There is substantial evidence that good Oral Health supports general good health and well being and the facts are irrefutable that we are living longer, maintaining our own teeth longer, but the health challenges that present as many of us age are undeniable.

My hope for this session is that you can find material in this package that you can apply confidently and present to a range of people so they also feel validated in their efforts and you can work together as a cohesive multidisciplinary health care team.