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The launch of the new Oral Health Association of Australia could be good news for many practitioners who have previously felt unheard—and unappreciated. By Stephen Downie
As any practitioner will advise, you ignore your oral health at your peril. Just ask Nathan Clarke, the new CEO of the equally new Oral Health Association of Australia. He knows firsthand the truth of that statement.
“You put your oral health to one side until it becomes an issue,” Clarke says. “And that’s exactly what happened in my case a couple of years ago. When I was referred to an oral health therapist, I thought, ‘Oh, no!’ I assumed I was looking after my dental hygiene. But I clearly wasn’t doing it as well as I could have, and it really changed my perspective.”
A different perspective is precisely what Clarke will bring to his role as boss of the OHAA. Announced in May and launched on 1 July, the OHAA will be the peak association representing oral health practitioners such as dental hygienists, dental therapists and oral health therapists working across Australia. The OHAA is a result of a merger between the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association (ADOHTA) and the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia (DHAA).
The challenge ahead
Nathan Clarke clearly has a big job ahead of him but is relishing the challenge. He’s also very well-qualified to meet it.
As CEO of the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association since 2016, he has been credited with increasing membership and value for the workplace rehabilitation industry. Prior to that role, he was founding CEO of the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF).
The OHAA board will meet later this month to formulate plans for the coming years. Clarke says it’s imperative the organisation represents all oral health practitioners and that “everyone feels like they’re part of the journey. The organisation is better together,” he stresses, adding that it’s important the focus for this first stage is building systems and putting teams in place.
“We still have a few steps to go before we work out what the future initiatives will be,” he says. “But the first major step is making sure we’re setting the body up for success.”
They’re the voice
The real strength of the OHAA, Clarke believes, will be to provide “one voice across the industry. I think it will be great for the oral health industry going forward that we’re all speaking as one voice and as one industry,” he says.
“We’re utilising the strengths and resources of both organisations (ADOHTA and DHAA) to benefit all members. Having that combined voice will hopefully enable more people who are eligible for membership to join as well. And they will see the benefits of a strong industry body they’re proud to be a part of.
“We really want our members to be actively involved, to contribute and to drive the profession.”
The ripple effect will be that OHAA members are better equipped to serve the needs of the community.
“I think we’ve really got an opportunity to raise the profile of the importance of oral health, which is good for our members and the industry, but also for the broader Australian community,” Clarke says.
Focus on communities
With various professional reports highlighting the links between poor oral health and diabetes, heart disease, stroke and respiratory conditions, the OHAA will tackle oral care in the community, especially for those in aged care.
I think we’ve really got an opportunity to raise the profile of the importance of oral health, which is good for our members and the industry, but also for the broader Australian community.
Nathan Clarke, CEO, Oral Health Association of Australia
Clarke says there is a real need for education in residential aged care—including those who care for society’s older people.
While it may be too late for people at a certain age to want or even be able to change their habits, Clarke believes carers have a responsibility to “take control” of their patients’ oral health and in turn to “raise the awareness of how it can impact so many different health factors.
“Given Australia’s ageing population, OHAA’s role is critical in advocating for equitable oral health care in residential aged care facilities,” Clarke says.
“By championing clear guidelines, supporting onsite preventive services, and driving education and advocacy, OHAA aims to overcome systemic barriers and significantly improve the quality of life for older Australians.”
Building the workforce
Further, the OHAA’s rural and remote special interest group will look at how best to serve members—and by extension their communities throughout the country.
“There has been a maldistribution of dental and oral healthcare workforce in Australia and a significant clinical workforce is needed in rural and regional areas, the public sector, Indigenous communities and special needs patient cohorts,” Clarke says.
“Our rural and remote special interest group will look to work with our partners to build capacity and to educate and support the profession to provide clinical services to this cohort.”
A critical part of the OHAA’s success will be engaging members, stakeholders and other relevant industry bodies to determine what they want the new agency’s priorities to be.
From 16-18 October, the OHAA will hold its inaugural congress on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Speakers will share their insights on the latest research, and advancements in practice, as well as future directions for oral health care in Australia. The theme of the event will be ‘Opening Horizons Across Australia’, which Clarke believes “reflects the new beginning for the OHAA following the merger of ADOHTA and DHAA.
“This forward-looking congress aims to inspire dental professionals to embrace innovation, expand their perspectives and advance oral health practice nationwide,” he enthuses.
“It offers a valuable platform for practitioners to connect, share ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen professional networks—ultimately empowering the profession to adapt and thrive in meeting Australia’s evolving oral health needs.”
