Speakers

Prof Nicola Innes

Presentation title:

Managing Dental Anxiety in Children in Practice

Nicola Innes is a Professor of Paediatric Dentistry, Honorary Consultant and Head of Cardiff Dental School. She obtained a PhD, a BDS(hons), and a BMSc in Molecular and Cellular Pathology from the University of Dundee as well as a BSc in Life Sciences from Napier University, Edinburgh. She has passed membership exams with the Royal College of Surgeons of England for the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners and the Faculty of Dental Surgery.

With over £8M grant capture, and 150 publications in peer reviewed journals, Professor Innes' research is internationally recognised within cariology (minimally invasive dentistry), paediatric (Child Friendly) dentistry, marginalised communities and evidence based dentistry and she has led NIHR funded UK-wide child dental health research projects, practice-based research, participated in other UK-wide trials as well as ones based in Germany, Lithuania, Australia, Brazil, US and New Zealand, co-authored several Cochrane reviews related to cariology and sat on national guideline development groups. Her expertise is in primary research through clinical trials/ observational studies and secondary systematic reviews/ data syntheses.

She took up the position of Dean and Head of School at Cardiff University, School of Dentistry in 2020 and also Interim Head of School of Healthcare Sciences in 2024. She established the Improving Dentistry Research Group in 2021 at Cardiff University.

Prof Ian Meyers

Presentation title:

Getting Long in the Tooth – Managing Root Surfaces and Root Surface Caries in the Ageing Patient

Professor Ian Meyers is a general dental practitioner in Brisbane, and an honorary professor at The University of Queensland School of Dentistry. He has over forty years of combined experience in dental research and education, and with clinical dentistry in private practice, university clinics and hospital based dental clinics. He is a past President of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Queensland Branch of the Australian Dental Association. He is President-Elect of the Australasian section of the International College of Dentists, and a Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International and Pierre Fauchard Academy. In 2017 he received the Order of Australia Medal for services to dentistry, professional associations, and tertiary education. Professor Meyers has extensive experience in comprehensive patient care, with special interests in diagnosis and management of the worn dentition, geriatric and aged care dentistry, adhesive restorative dental materials, fibre-reinforced composites, and the management of patients through minimum intervention dentistry.

Tabitha Acret

Tabitha Acret is a dedicated and passionate award-winning Dental Hygienist. She studied a Bachelor of Oral Health at Newcastle University, completed a Graduate Certificate in Public Health and is currently a Clinical Master student at the University of Central London Eastman Campus.

Tabitha has become one of the most sought-after Hygienists and Educators in Australia and internationally with a fast-growing and loyal customer base of patients, dental professionals and media. Tabitha was previously the National Vice-President for the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia and has volunteered in many roles since graduation for the Association. She also has a passion for education with students, working as lecturer at Sydney University as well as a Clinical Educator for implant maintenance and non-surgical periodontal therapy. Currently, she also works two days a week in private practice.

A/Prof Melanie Aley

Associate Professor Melanie Aley (nee Hayes) is a registered dental hygienist and academic. She is currently the Director of Oral Health and the Program Director for the Bachelor of Oral Health at the University of Sydney. She has a PhD and Masters’ in Education, majoring in Career Development, and has enjoyed a diverse career in clinical practice, teaching, research and management. Mel is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education, to strengthen her work educating and supporting oral health students and practitioners.

An award-winning Mentor, Mel is passionate about empowering dental professionals to develop rewarding and sustainable careers, and has established the Next Step Dental Careers support service. Mel has published widely on the topic of career development in the dental profession in peer-reviewed journals. She also writes a regular column for the Bulletin, the quarterly publication of the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia.

Dr Ellen Clark

Ellen Clark began her career following graduation with her BDS From Otago in 2008, as the first Dental House Surgeon at Whangarei Base Hospital (Northland, New Zealand). She has worked for the Northland District Health Board, for 15 years as a Community Dentist and was the Clinical Director from 2015-2021. She gained her public health specialist degree from Otago University in 2017 with distinction. She purchased a private practice in Mangawhai Heads (Northland, New Zealand) early in 2019, which she still owns and operates. She is well-published in both the local and international dental press, writing articles and reviewing submissions. Her research encompasses a wide range of oral conditions, most notably in the fields of dental caries. Her particular interest is in improving oral health outcomes and reducing health inequalities. Ellen was the president of the New Zealand School and Community Oral Health Service Society from 2020-2022, and is the current president of the New Zealand Society of Hospital Dentistry. She was inducted as a fellow into the International College of Dental Surgeons in 2022. Ellen was elected to be a member of the New Zealand Dental Association Board 2020 until the present. She participates in a number of charitable endeavours in and around her community. Ellen lives in Mangawhai, New Zealand with her husband and 2 children, and spends her spare time at the beach and in her garden.

Bree Jones

Bree is an oral health therapist, senior lecturer at the Melbourne Dental School, and PhD candidate at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Her research investigates using Intraoral Scanners for early caries detection in children and the development of automated caries detection methods using artificial intelligence. She is an active member of the ITU-WHO topic group on dental diagnostics and digital dentistry, which seeks to provide global standards for AI application in dentistry.

Dr Roisin McGrath

Roisin has worked for over 30 years in the field of oral health and is a qualified dental assistant, dental hygienist and dental therapist. She has worked extensively in private and public dental settings, and is experienced in education, research, oral health promotion, dental public health, program management, workforce development and training, supporting organizational change, and implementing new models of care. Roisin is the Director Bachelor of Oral Health Program at the University of Melbourne and Population Oral Health Consultant at Dental Health Services Victoria. She is also a licenced Mental Health First Aid instructor and delivers MHFA training to people in the oral health sector. Roisin is a current Director on the board of the Dental Hygienists Association or Australia and a passionate advocate for oral health practitioners.

Dr Ehsan Mellati

Dr Ehsan Mellati is a renowned periodontist in private practice in Sydney and founder of the state-of-the-art Precision Periodontics. His practice is restricted to periodontics and implant dentistry. He is an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at Sydney University and is also involved in teaching/mentorship at several Periodontics and Dental Implant-related graduate programs. Dr Mellati received the prestigious ITI grant for his postgraduate thesis focusing on the healing of hard and soft tissues around immediate implants. He has published several articles in well-respected international journals and has been actively involved in presenting lectures, running CPD events, and teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students and overseas-trained dentists. He is an active member of several scientific organisations.

Dr Elizabeth Milford

Dr Elizabeth Milford is an accomplished educator and mentor, skilled at supporting growth of individuals and organisations. Dr Milford draws on her insights into complaint and crisis management and foundation as a lecturer in clinical communication. As a lecturer in clinical communication, Dr Milford interprets the theory into clinically applicable action. As a professional mentor for AHPRA respondents, her insights in complaint management are current and drawn from real, lived, clinical cases.

Kylie Robb

Kylie Robb is an internationally recognised speaker and leader in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and dental sustainability.

Kylie has postgraduate qualifications in health services management, IPC and, most recently, completed her studies at the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership in England.

As the director of Niche Dental, her own boutique consultancy, Kylie is frequently asked to support government agencies, health practitioner associations, public health, and industry with the provision of relevant technical expertise and education.

Kylie also serves as a casual academic at the University of Sydney contributing to their Faculty of Medicine and Health’s Sydney Dental School in addition to their School of Health Science for Medical Imaging.

Shida Taheri

Shida Taheri, an Oral Health Therapist based in NSW, is dedicated to expanding access to oral health services across Australia. As the founder of Dental On Demand, she leads a dedicated team that provides essential care in diverse settings such as RACFs, child care centers, homes, disability facilities, and schools.

Shida is deeply involved in advancing dental care standards. She actively contributes to the DHAA Aged Care special interest group and holds a leadership role at Mobile Dental Providers Australia. Her commitment to education and accessibility extends to her collaboration with Curaprox through their iTOP education program, where she empowers communities with knowledge to maintain optimal oral health.

Driven by a passion to serve underserved populations, Shida advocates tirelessly for equitable dental care nationwide. Her work not only addresses immediate oral health needs but also aims to foster long-term oral health awareness and prevention strategies within communities. Through her initiatives and partnerships, Shida continues to make significant strides in improving oral health outcomes for all Australians.

Dr Murray Thomas

Dr Murray Thomas is a full-time private practice dentist in Canberra. He graduated from Queensland University with a Bachelor of Dental Science in 1977 and a Diploma in Dental Health in 1984.

He has held positions in health practitioner regulation since 2005 and was appointed Chair of the Dental Board of Australia in 2018.

He has held senior positions in the Australian Regular Army, the Australian Dental Council and the Australian Dental Association. He has previously worked with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care about national safety and quality standards.

He has served on the ACT Clinical Council and worked closely with the Capital Health Network (ACT).

Jacquie Biggar

Jacquie is a proud oral health therapist graduating from Adelaide University with awards in special care dentistry. She is passionate about education and now is an academic lecturer at Sydney University teaching across all three years. Her enthusiasm to increase access to oral health care is one driven by her roles as business owner of Senior Dental Care and Director of Mobile Dental Providers Australia. She was delighted to be the inaugural winner of the enhance access to care aware at the Dental Care Awards this year at ADX Sydney. With 19 years’ experience in the dental industry Jacquie brings perspective, knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm in her areas of interest.

Kylie Robb

Kylie Robb is an internationally recognised speaker and leader in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and dental sustainability.

Kylie has postgraduate qualifications in health services management, IPC and, most recently, completed her studies at the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership in England.

As the director of Niche Dental, her own boutique consultancy, Kylie is frequently asked to support government agencies, health practitioner associations, public health, and industry with the provision of relevant technical expertise and education.

Kylie also serves as a casual academic at the University of Sydney contributing to their Faculty of Medicine and Health’s Sydney Dental School in addition to their School of Health Science for Medical Imaging.

Shida Taheri

Shida Taheri, an Oral Health Therapist based in NSW, is dedicated to expanding access to oral health services across Australia. As the founder of Dental On Demand, she leads a dedicated team that provides essential care in diverse settings such as RACFs, child care centers, homes, disability facilities, and schools.

Shida is deeply involved in advancing dental care standards. She actively contributes to the DHAA Aged Care special interest group and holds a leadership role at Mobile Dental Providers Australia. Her commitment to education and accessibility extends to her collaboration with Curaprox through their iTOP education program, where she empowers communities with knowledge to maintain optimal oral health.

Driven by a passion to serve underserved populations, Shida advocates tirelessly for equitable dental care nationwide. Her work not only addresses immediate oral health needs but also aims to foster long-term oral health awareness and prevention strategies within communities. Through her initiatives and partnerships, Shida continues to make significant strides in improving oral health outcomes for all Australians.

Dr Mark Wotherspoon

Successful General Dental Practitioner who wears a number of hats. Mark has had many years in private practice as a Principal and practice owner as well as experience in the Public Service, Military Service and even Corrective services. He firmly believes in establishing best practice oral hygiene routines for his patients and educating other health professionals, and the public, as to the close link between oral health and general health.

Mark is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer and Clinical Team Leader [Portable Dentistry] Charles Sturt University, Clinical Senior Lecturer, in the School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney and has extensive clinical experience, treating patients in over 15 different ACFs as well as housebound residents in their own private homes. In 2016 he developed his own part-time portable dentistry business, Dentist To Your door and clearly understands the costs, logistics, challenges and opportunities for all dental professionals to play the lead role in meeting the growing oral health needs of the aging population.

Mark is an active member of the Australian Dental Association and in 2019 was made an honourary member of the Dental Hygienist’s Association of Australia.