Feedback invited on Health Training Package HLT02 Review Draft 2

The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (CSHISC) has been developing a new Health Training Package HLT02, which includes dental assistant training, since 2004.

The section on dental assisting in their Issues Register notes amongst other things, that "Industry advice from validation focus group meetings is to replace separate Certificate IV qualifications with a single Certificate IV with core units that include oral health education and elective groups including dental radiaography, assistduring conscious sedation and general anaesthesia, dental triage and extended duties (impression taking and fabrication of models)". This proposal was apparently considered in the development of Draft 2 of the Package.

The Review is now at Draft 2 stage and is available for review and feedback. The Draft 2 Validation period ends and all feedback needs to be provided to the Industry Skills Council by Monday 24 April 2006.

The Draft 2 material can be viewed, and feedback provided via three channels:

• It can be downloaded from the Industry Skills Council website at: HLT06 - Draft 2 Qualifications, Competency Standards and Assessment Guidelines (NB. large file warning - download from high speed connections recommended. Follow the instructions for downloading all relevant files so that the MS Word hyperlinks required to navigate through this substantial material will work);
• Via the Online Feedback System (to be activated on 1 March 2006); or
• Via CD ROM (received in the mail).

Specific questions relating to dental assisting, dental prosthetics and dental technology qualifications are posed on page 9 of the Introduction. From here hyperlinks are provided to the relevant sections of the very large file.

If downloading the Draft 2 material from the Skills Council Website or viewing it via the CDROM, stakeholders can send feedback directly to the Skills Council via fax: 02 9263 3599 or email to sarah.fuller@cshisc.com.au

The CSHISC advises that "the Review process is currently tracking towards submission of Draft 3 for endorsement in July 2006".

Pandemic killing 5 million per year

A global pandemic is killing almost 5 million people each year, but it's not avian flu.

Smoking related illnesses are the cause of this pandemic.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), "tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in ten adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year). If current smoking patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths each year by 2020. Half the people that smoke today -that is about 650 million people- will eventually be killed by tobacco."

The good news is that many countries are taking effective measures to curb tobacco use, including strong legislation, graphic warning labels and advertising bans. These positive changes reinforce the commitment made by the more than 110 countries who met between 6-17 February to decide on the detailed implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

New Code issued re Treatment of Sleep Disorders

The Dental Practice Board of Victoria has now issued the final version of their Code of Practice on Dental Appliance Therapy for the Treatment of Sleep Disorders.

Dentists who intend treating patients for such disorders should ensure that they have familiarised themselves with the Code's requirements.

ADAVB Convention interest very high

Since the ADAVB Alert No1/06 regarding the availability of the 2006 ADAVB Convention Registration Form was broadcast last Friday, there have been over 350 hits on the booklet at the ADAVB's website. Printed copies will now have arrived in most practices by way of insert in the February Newsletter.

The booklet makes it clear that there is limited seating at this event, with registrations restricted to dentists only, and a capacity of 600 seats.

The very high level of interest shown within the first week of the program's availability signals that members will need to book early if they wish to avoid missing out on registering for this two-day program. Those who attend the full program will be eligible for 11 hours of scientific CPD credit.

Victoria's Demography 2004

The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released a Report on Victoria's Demography as at 2004. The population trends highlighted will be of interest to dentists looking at their long term business plans. Selected extracts from the report are presented below.

"At 30 June 2004, the estimated resident population of Victoria was 4,963,000 persons, approximately one-quarter of the Australian population. In 2003-04, Victoria's population increased by 51,500 persons, consisting of natural increase (28,800 persons) and overseas migration (25,000 persons). This was a growth rate of 1.0% compared to a rate of 1.1% for Australia. The states and territories that had the highest rates of growth in 2003-04 were Queensland (2.3%) and Western Australia (1.4%). "

"Between 1993-94 and 2003-04, Victoria's population increased by 475,000 persons, a growth rate of 11% compared to 13% for Australia. In the same period, the highest rates of growth occurred in Queensland (22%), Western Australia (16%) and the Northern Territory (15%). "

"In 2004, the upward trend in life expectancy continued for females and males in Victoria. Females born in 2004 could expect to live an average of 83.3 years compared to 81.1 years for those born in 1994. The corresponding figures for males were 78.5 years (2004) and 75.7 years (1994). The ACT had the highest life expectancies of all the states and territories with females and males born in 2004 expected to live an average of 83.9 years and 79.7 years respectively."

With more of these people keeping most of their natural teeth for life, and with those people presenting with more complex conditions requiring treatment by fully trained dentists, there is increasing pressure on our universities to provide a greater number of new dentists to meet the growing level of demand.

Prepared for graphic health warnings?

Members are urged to prepare for graphic health warnings, which are to appear on cigarette packaging soon. One of the new graphic warnings relates to oral cancer risks, and it is likely that at least some dental patients who smoke will remark on the new messages when they attend for treatment.

Dentists and their staff are therefore urged to have their Quit resource kits on hand, and to have reviewed the literature about smoking and oral diseases, so that when the opportunity arises, relevant professional advice and assistance can be given.

ADAVB suggests that you review the Smoking and the Mouth Background Brief, and look for additional resource materials at the Quit website.

If your patients are amenable to contacting Quitline, the number is 13 7848.

Download the Referral Fax Sheet to help you and your team support your patients to quit.

Use this link to find out more about the Quitline.

More information about the Commonwealth Government's graphic warning requirements can be found here.

New National Reform Agenda

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) met yesterday and agreed to a National Reform Agenda encompassing "human capital, competition and regulatory reform streams".

The Communique issued at the end of this meeting documents a wide range of initiatives, some of which may have impact on dental service delivery.

On the positive side, reduction of the regulatory burden on business is promised, along with greater efforts on health promotion.

The decision to increase the number of full fee places for medical training might be reflected in a similar move for dental places, although this is not certain. If this were to happen, then the ADA would express similar concerns to those articulated by the AMA, that the huge debts borne by these graduates will not be conducive to them seeking to work in either the public sector or in rural and remote communities, where the most urgent needs exist.

Within the Action Plan called 'Better Health for All Australians' the agreement to progress certain recommendations in the recent Productivity Commission Report on the Health Workforce will need to be monitored. The following extract gives only a hint as to the actual measures that might be adopted, and the full implications of this agreement remain to be seen.

"1 . Governments acknowledge the crucial role that health professionals play in ensuring that Australians receive high-quality health care and the need to effectively use our skilled health workforce. In response to the Productivity Commission Report on Health Workforce, governments have agreed:
• to increase governments’ collaborative effort regarding retention of health staff;
• to endorse the National Health Workforce Strategic Framework with a biennial review and report to COAG on progress with implementation of the Framework;
• that all broad institutional Health Workforce Frameworks should make explicit provision to consider the particular workforce requirements of rural and remote areas, and the particular workforce requirements of groups with special needs including indigenous Australians, people with mental illness, people with disabilities and those requiring aged care; and
• that Senior Officials will undertake further work in relation to the remaining key recommendations of the Productivity Commission and report to COAG in mid-2006 on further action that governments could take in regard to health workforce, having consulted with key stakeholders."

Health Privacy and Prescription Shopping

The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has made two health related temporary public interest determinations.

According to a media release issued yesterday by the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner, "The determinations continue arrangements established in February 2005 in response to an application from a doctor in private practice who was concerned that accessing the Information Service provided by Medicare Australia under its Prescription Shopping Project may have been in breach of elements of the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) of the Privacy Act," said Ms Curtis.

Background material issued with the media release notes that "The health information collected from Medicare Australia's Prescription Shopping Information Service may be used to assist with clinical decisions about individuals who are suspected of using PBS medicines in excess of their therapeutic need."

The determinations can be viewed here.

Citanest update

DENTSPLY International Inc. has announced (8/2/06) that, "as a result of its continuing evaluation of the dental injectable anesthetic business, the Company will close its Chicago-based Pharmaceutical Manufacturing facility. The Company plans to sell the facility and to seek third party sources of supply for the dental injectable products."

Dentsply Australia is issuing a letter of explanation and apology to local clients dated 9 February 2006.

ALP Goals for Aussie Kids

The Shadow Federal Health Minister, Julia Gillard has launched a Discussion Paper called 'Goals for Aussie Kids'.

This paper mentions oral and dental health on page 12.

One of the goals for all children is
"All children will have access to affordable dental care and preventive dental health services."

Amongst the goals for children in the 0-5 years age range, there is also

"Parental education and awareness programs on nutrition, dental care and child development."

Feedback has been invited on a range of questions regarding goal priorities, how the goals can best be achieved, and how to achieve a well coordinated national approach, amongst others.

Submissions should be addressed to:
Julia Gillard, MP
Shadow Minister for Health
RG-108 Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Or by email to Julia.Gillard.MP@aph.gov.au

Alaska Native Dental Health litigation

The American Dental Association (AmDA), the Alaska Dental Society (ADS) and several individual dentists filed a lawsuit on January 31, 2006 in state Superior Court, seeking to stop the unlicensed practice of dentistry and dental surgery by non-dentists.

The AmDA has published an issues paper, media press kit and an alternative proposal to the use of Dental Health Aide Therapists (DHATs) on their website.

The complaint asks the court to declare the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and its DHATs in violation of state dental licensing laws.

According to the AmDA, DHATs receive only 18 to 24 months training in a foreign dental school, and generally have only a high school education or its equivalent. The procedures at issue include extracting and drilling teeth and performing root canal-like surgery on primary teeth—surgical procedures for which the skills of fully trained, licensed dentists are absolutely essential.

“I want to make it clear that the ADA supports every other aspect of the dental health aide program, said Robert M. Brandjord, D.D.S., AmDA president. “That means we support education, prevention, oral health literacy programs, water fluoridation, sealant programs, nutrition programs, literally anything and everything that helps prevent dental disease.

“All of us in the dental community regret terribly that the situation has deteriorated to the point of litigation. But we cannot and will not stand by while non-dentists perform irreversible dental surgery on Alaska Natives and others, procedures that other Americans receive only from fully trained, licensed dentists who operate under the safety and accountability standards set by state dental boards.”

Australian Society of Periodontology lecture

With periodontal medicine in the media spotlight, patients are asking whether their treatment will impact on other medical conditions.

Specialist periodontist Dr Susan Wise will discuss the diseases that are known to have a major impact on the periodontal tissues and explain how periodontal disease may have other systemic implications.

This Australian Society of Periodontology lecture will be enlightening. The lecture - followed by dinner - will be held at University House, Parkville, at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 15 February. To book, contact Dr Ivan Darby or phone 9341 1471.

Medical Ethics Manual Online

The World Medical Association's (WMA) 51st Annual General Assembly in 1999 voted in support of medical ethics and human rights being included as obligatory courses in all medical school curricula. They subesquently undertook a extensive consultation process in order to produce the Medical Ethics Manual.

While certain elements of dental ethics may be different to medical ethics, dentists will find much common ground with their medical colleagues in considering key ethical issues.

This publication is now available free online at the WMA website. Please note that given its size, the material has been presented in 8 separate files. The six main chapters cover:
> Principle Features of Medical Ethics
> Physicians and Patients
> Physicians and Society
> Physicians and colleagues
> Medical Research, and
> A Conclusion covering responsibilities and privileges of physicians, responsibilities to oneself and the future of medical ethics.

Late Registration Renewal

The renewal of general registrations with the Dental Practice Board of Victoria expired on 31 December 2005. The Board advises that if you did not renew your registration by that deadline you will have automatically incurred a late fee of $50 in addition to the renewal fee.

Where practitioners failed to renew their registration, even though their registration is not current, their name will not be removed from the Register until 31 March 2006 – so opportunity exists up to that date to pay the renewal fee and the late fee. To renew your registration with the Board on-line go to Practitioner Login.