Jessica Pennay, Oral Health Therapist

Jessica is an Oral Health Therapist with adult scope and an internationally recognised leader and advocate in oral health therapy. Based in Hobart, she brings over a decade of experience as an oral health practitioner, with demonstrated expertise in clinical practice, policy, advocacy, and strategic planning. Her work is underpinned by a strong commitment to addressing the social determinants of health and reducing oral health inequities across Australia.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Oral Health, a Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy (Adult Scope), and a Master of Public Health (Distinction) from the University of Newcastle. She has held senior executive roles within the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association Ltd (ADOHTA), including President, Vice President, and Board Director, and continues as Immediate Past President following unification. Jessica is also a Founding Board Director of OHAA.

Jessica contributes to national and international oral health policy and stakeholder engagement through roles on key committees and advisory groups, including the National Oral Health Alliance (NOHA), the National Oral Health Plan (NOHP) Stakeholder Reference Group, the National Oral Health Sector Forum, the Provider Number Expert Advisory Group, the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) Membership Committee, and the Dental Stakeholder Liaison Group.

Jessica is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and is committed to high standards of governance, leadership, and evidence-based health policy. In 2024, Jessica was awarded ADOHTA Life Membership in recognition of her outstanding contributions and was a Finalist in the Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards.

Deep Caries Management in Primary Teeth; Minimally Invasive Approaches to Gold Standards Stainless Steel Crown Techniques

Overview: This hands-on workshop equips clinicians with practical, evidence-based strategies for managing deep caries in primary teeth, with a focus on minimally invasive approaches and gold-standard stainless steel crown techniques.

Workshop Description:
This hands-on workshop equips clinicians with practical, evidence-based strategies for managing deep caries in primary teeth, with a focus on minimally invasive approaches and contemporary approaches to vital pulp therapy and stainless-steel crown techniques. Participants will work through clinical scenarios and hands-on exercises, applying contemporary principles to diagnosis, treatment planning, and restorative care for management of deep caries in primary teeth. Cases will range from early lesions managed with silver fluoride therapies to multi-surface carious teeth requiring stainless steel crowns, including challenging upper D (maxillary second primary molar crowns), which often present anatomical and access difficulties. The workshop will also review pulp capping and vital pulp therapy, including appropriate case selection, medicaments and clinical decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment planning, and selecting the most appropriate intervention - from minimally invasive care to pulp therapy, crowns, or extraction - to improve clinical outcomes and long-term oral health in paediatric patients. Clinicians will leave the workshop with increased confidence and practical skills for treatment planning and executing high-quality paediatric restorative care.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 
• Understand contemporary, minimally invasive approaches to managing deep caries in primary teeth. 
• Apply evidence-based diagnostic and treatment strategies to preserve pulp vitality.
• Implement advanced minimally invasive techniques, including silver fluoride applications.