Have your say with the ADA Member Survey

Have you completed the ADA Member Survey? The survey is being conducted by Survey Matters, an independent market research company.

Look out for the survey email, sent by Survey Matters, on Tuesday 16 April and a reminder email being sent this week.

The survey also includes specific questions for Victorian members. Victorian members who complete the survey go into the running for one of five $100 CPD vouchers.

The survey closes on Friday 17 May. If you need to leave the survey before you have finished, your responses will be saved so that when you come back to it you don't need to start again.

We encourage you to provide honest and objective feedback. Encourage your fellow ADA members to also complete the survey. The more feedback we have the better we can respond to the issues that are important to you and the profession. Have your say, help shape your association and get the most out of your membership.

If you have any questions or haven't received the survey, please contact Survey Matters on support@surveymatters.com.au or 03 9452 0101.

Another two EBAs for general dentists approved by Fair Work Commission

More milestones reached

The Fair Work Commission has approved another two 2018-2022 EBAs for general dentists. This milestone follows the first EBA for general dentists employed in public hospitals approved last month - a process we started in 2017! Another milestone, another step towards achieving the respect, recognition and reward for public sector dentists. Thank you to all members for your patience and perseverance in achieving this major goal!

Who is covered by these EBAs?

One EBA covers general dentists employed at five Victorian public hospitals:

• Albury Wodonga Health 
• Ballarat Health Services
• Seymour Health
• Swan Hill District Health
• Wimmera Health Care Group

Another EBA covers general dentists employed at three community health centres:

• Nillumbik Community Health Service
• North Richmond Community Health
• Sunraysia Community Health Services

When do these EBAs become effective?

These EBAs will operate from 25 April 2019. Employees can expect any back pay that is owed to them, and to move to their new pay rate, from the first pay period after this date.

What are the employment entitlements in the new EBAs?

• A four-year agreement, which applies from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2022
• Pay increases of six per cent per annum in the first two years and three per cent per annum in years three and four of the agreement
• Back-pay to 1 July 2018 based on salary increases provided in the agreement
• $2000 sign on bonus (pro rata for part-time employees, not payable to casuals)
• Uplift payments for all level 3 employees and employees at level 4a
• Introduction of hybrid clinical and managerial positions to acknowledge the additional responsibility and work these roles involve
• 12 weeks paid parental leave 
• Refer to our new FAQs below for remuneration details

Download the new FAQs on the 2018-2022 EBA for general dentists. 

What is the status of EBAs for dentists employed in community health centres?

Another EBA covering four CHCs was filed with the Fair Work Commission in March 2019 and we are awaiting a response. These CHCs are:

• Central Bayside Community Health Service
• cohealth
• Latrobe Community Health Service
• Link Health and Community

The following nine CHCs have accepted the agreement and will proceed to an EBA ballot soon:

• Access Health & Community
• Connect Health & Community
• DPV Health
• EACH
• Inspiro Community Health 
• IPC Health
• Merri Health
• Star Health
• Your Community Health

The EBA for CHC employed dentists is yet to be accepted by two CHC employers. Despite the guarantee of state government funding, these CHCs, DHSV and the Department of Health and Human Services have not resolved the funding issues to provide their employee dentists with the same conditions as hospital dentists:

• Banyule Community Health
• Sunbury Community Health 

We appreciate that this has been a very frustrating process for some of our members, and we thank you for your patience. We will keep all members updated as negotiations progress.

Carotid Artery Calcification - Member only free CPD hour

Read the Clinical Update article in this month's Victorian Dentist, answer at least 9/10 quiz questions correctly and obtain your free CPD hour!

Carotid Artery Calcification on Orthopantomograms (CACO Study) – is it indicative of carotid stenosis?
S Constantine, D Roach, S Liberali, A Kiermeier, P Sarkar, J Jannes, P Sambrook, P Anderson, J Beltrame
Aust Dent J 2019; 64: 4–10: doi: 10.1111/adj.12651
Compiled by Dr Aaron Martin

Orthopantomograms (OPGs) are frequently taken for the analysis of dental conditions or for screening of potential conditions. Areas distant from the areas of interest are also imaged which may present incidental findings. One such incidental finding is carotid artery calcification which may be seen in an inferior and lateral position on an OPG image around the level of C3 and C4 vertebrae. Areas are often described as discrete nodular masses but can vary in appearance.

Carotid artery calcification (CAC) is calcification of atherosclerotic plaque commonly occurring around the level where the common carotid artery bifurcates into the internal and external carotid arteries where it can be seen on radiographs. Radiographically visible calcification is not established as a marker for stroke risk in itself.

Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is narrowing of the lumen of the carotid arteries, usually as a result of the build-up of atherosclerotic plaque. Such lesions may (or may not) show calcification. Narrowing of 50 per cent or more carries a documented risk of stroke occurring. Due to the critical areas of the head and brain supplied by the carotid arteries, interruptions to blood flow can have serious consequences ranging from transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), to stroke and death.

Login to read the rest of the article and complete the quiz online: http://bit.ly/2GyRDXI
Or refer to page 20 of your April Victorian Dentist