The Australian Dental Association (ADA) is looking for one (1) consumer advisor to join the Oral Health Messages for the Australian Public (2022 Update) Steering Committee. This is a short-term role until end December 2022.
Background
Dental diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease are highly prevalent conditions with broad impacts on individuals and the community. One in three Australians over 15 years of age suffer from moderate to severe gum disease, and over 40% of children aged 5-10 years have had dental caries in their primary teeth. In 2019-2020 the combined expenditure on dental disease in Australia was almost 10 billion dollars. The individual and societal costs of dental disease are staggering given that dental disease is largely preventable.
The National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024 states that “Oral health promotion initiatives at both the individual level and population level are an important part of disease prevention”. Oral Health Promotion is a key foundational area of the NOHP with a goal to ensure that “All Australians have access to oral health promoting environments and to appropriate evidence-based information and programs that support them to make informed decisions about their oral health”.
In 2009, a working group established by the National Oral Health Promotion Clearing House at The Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, University of Adelaide developed a consensus statement on oral health messages for the Australian public. The statement sought to establish clear, evidence-based oral health promotion messages in response to a goal of the previous National oral Health Plan (2004-2013). The consensus statement was highly effective, and enabled a focused, and strategic approach to oral health promotion in Australia. However, in the 13 years since the statement, the evidence base underpinning oral health promotion in Australia has grown and therefore an update of the consensus statement is needed.
The Melbourne Dental School at the University of Melbourne and the Australian Dental Association proposes to lead a collaborative expert working group to update the Oral Health Messages for the Australian Public.
Purpose
The purpose of the steering committee is to direct the development of the Oral Health Messages for the Australian Public consensus statement.
Role
The role of the steering committee includes the following.
- Develop preliminary oral health promotion topics for consideration for inclusion in the statement.
- Review planned methodology and provide feedback.
- Contribute to rapid reviews on relevant topics.
- Review and interpret results of qualitative and quantitative rounds of Delphi.
- Lead discussions at a face-to-face/hybrid session for participants in the Delphi statement.
- Monitor progress of project to forecast timelines.
- Contribute to publicizing of results including media, where appropriate.
- Contribute to authorship of journal article for peer review.
Meetings
- Meetings will be held virtually.
Meetings will be held in July, September and December 2022.
A face-to-face symposium for dental practitioners will also be held.
Meeting agendas, supporting papers, meeting notes and information will be provided by the project team in advance of the meetings.
Remuneration
The consumer advisor will be remunerated for their role on the Steering Committee. Any related accommodation and travel costs will also be provided.
Expressions of Interest
Please send your Expressions of Interest outlining your experience in dental health promotion with a copy of your current (short CV) to Rebecca Edwards r.edwards@chf.org.au by 5pm (AEST) 15 July 2022.
Further information
The original published consensus statement can be found at https://www.adelaide.edu.au/arcpoh/oral-health-promotion/resources/national-consensus-workshop/
Click here to read the Terms of Reference to support your expression of interest.