Dentistry 08 registration brochures out now!

After months of eager anticipation, the ADAVB is pleased to announce that the registration brochure for the bi-annual Branch Convention is now available. The brochures have been sent and many members have confirmed receiving their copies. If you have not received it, download a copy here or contact the Branch at (03) 8825 4600.

The Convention - Dentistry 08: Patients, Community and Self - has generated quite a buzz amongst members and their staff. Registration has started coming in and we expect Dentistry 08 to be as successful as the previous 2006 Convention. The presenters are all eager to share their knowledge and experiences with you. Some of our interstate presenters, such as Professor Ian Meyers, Associate Professor Richard Widmer and Dr Mithran Goonewardene, are excited to meet old friends and colleagues as well as discuss their ideas with you.

Our international speaker and keynote presenter, Dr Ailbhe McDonald (UK), is delighted to be in Melbourne and she is looking forward to sharing her expertise with participants. Dr McDonald is Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at the Eastman Dental Hospital and Institute for Health Care Sciences and the Eastman Dental Hospital. Her main areas of interest are dental ceramics, implants, the restoration of the endodontically-treated tooth and innovative techniques for minimal cavity preparation. Dr McDonald will deliver two lectures during Dentistry 08. The first lecture will explore when to restore and when to save teeth. She will discuss how to assess the restorability of teeth that have lost extensive amounts of tooth structure, highlighting the clinical factors to be considered. Her second lecture will consider alternative methods for delivering prosthodontic care with an emphasis on affordable solutions for your patients. Dr McDonald will highlight how to weigh up affordability versus longevity and assess the outcomes of a range of treatment plans.

With 2008 marking the end of the current CPD cycle, Dentistry 08 is also a great opportunity for members to earn up to 11 CPD hours. Whether or not you are attending the Convention, please consider enrolling your staff for the annual Dental Assistant’s Convention, which will be held on Saturday, 23 August. The Branch is thrilled to have Adelaide-based Dr Liz Coates as the keynote speaker. The dental assistant’s program will also feature popular presenters such as Professor Ian Meyers and Dr Warren Shnider. If your dental assistant attended last year’s Convention, you can be sure they wouldn’t want to miss out on this year’s event.

Dentistry 08 is geared to become a Convention with a difference especially with the introduction of an optional social event. The Branch believes the Dentistry 08 Dinner would be a great platform for members to meet up and relax after a long day attending the Convention.

Finally, alongside Dentistry 08 will be an ADIA industry expo. Although smaller than the exhibition held in 2006, it will include most of the major suppliers of dental products and services. The expo will be located at the You Yangs Hall, opposite the John Batman Theatre where Dentistry 08 will be held.

The ADAVB has received many calls from members asking if they can bring staff along to the ADAVB Convention due to the topics’ relevance in a dental practice. The Branch is pleased to advise that staff can attend at a similar rate as members’ provided that “staff” implies dental hygienists, therapists and practice management staff that are employed by a current ADAVB member and are accompanying the member to the Convention. Dental hygienists and therapists not attending with an ADAVB member must register for the Convention at the non-member rate. Non-member dentists, including those that are employed by current ADAVB members, are not eligible for staff or member rates. If you have any queries about bringing staff to Dentistry 08, contact the CPD team at the Branch.

We encourage you to book early as we anticipate a large turnout for Dentistry 08. If you have any queries regarding registration, contact the Convention Secretariat at (03) 9870 2611. See you at the Convention.

'Open Disclosure' to be required in all heath care facilities

The Communique issued by the Australian Health Ministers' Conference held on 18 April notes that:

"Ministers agreed to work towards implementing an Open Disclosure standard in all health care facilities noting that New South Wales and Queensland already have standards in place."

According to the Communique, "The standard aims to promote a clear and consistent approach by hospitals and other organisations to open communication with patients and their families following an adverse health care event. This includes a discussion about what has happened, why it happened and what is being done to prevent it from happening again".

Further details on the standard will be advised as they become available.

Tax Commissioner reconsiders PBI status of health centres

Victoria’s Health Minister, Mr Andrews, yesterday told Parliament that the Commissioner of Taxation has put a stay on his decision to revoke the public benevolent institution (PBI) status and other tax concessions of community health centres. He said he had made representations to the Assistant Treasurer in Canberra, the Hon. Chris Bowen.
Mr Andrews was replying to a question from the Leader of the National Party, Mr Ryan, who asked if the Minister had failed to take measures to ensure community health centres were not affected by the Australian Taxation Office ruling.
The Minister said that he had started a a review of the legislative arrangements surrounding independent community health.
The ADAVB last month made representations to Mr Andrews about the removal of the PBI status, along with other matters, saying it would be a disincentive for dentists to remain in the public health sector.

IR Commission to modernise awards

This item is another likely to be of interest to employer members.

Following the passage of the Government's Transition to Forward with Fairness Act 2008, Julia Gillard, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, has asked the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to complete an award modernisation process by 31 December 2009.

According to a Government media release published today "The Commission will develop modern awards in consultation with key stakeholders including unions and employer groups. In addition there will be open and transparent consultation on exposure drafts of modern awards so members of the public can have their say. "

The media release also noted that "together with the 10 National Employment Standards, modern awards will ensure a fair and simple minimum safety net for all employees when the Government’s new workplace relations system commences full operation in January 2010".

The Governent says that modern awards will:

• be able to build on the 10 National Employment Standards with industry-specific detail;
• protect a further 10 important conditions for employees such as minimum wages, penalty rates, overtime and allowances;
• promote flexible modern work practices and the efficient and productive performance of work; and
• be simple to understand and easy to apply and reduce the regulatory burden on business.