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Agenda

Opening formalities

Daniel Nour

Keynote speaker: Daniel Nour – founder of Street Side Medics

Theme: Connecting communities with care

Sharon Hakkennes

Featured speaker: Dr Sharon Hakkennes - Victorian Department of Health

Theme:  The Chief Digital Health Officer discusses healthcare’s digital future – promise and potential

Morning tea and networking

Breakout sessions:

Breakout 1: Research and emerging trends

Clare LIn

Chair: Clare Lin, Director of Policy, DHSV

Breakout 2: Advances in clinical practice

Werner Bischof

Chair: Werner Bischof, Chief Oral Health Officer, DHSV

Breakout 3: Population health – local action, meaningful change

Amy Patterson

Chair: Amy Patterson, Director of Population Health, DHSV

Breakout 4: Value Based Healthcare – right care, real impact

Sonia Coleman

Co-Chair: Sonia Coleman, Director of Value Based Healthcare, DHSV and TBC

Lunch and networking

Jane Martin

Featured speaker: Jane Martin – Food for Health Alliance

Theme: The power of policy and advocacy in shaping health outcomes (case study)

Presentations: Building healthier communities – local initiatives and insights

Theme: Public health isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavour. These three initiatives demonstrate how understanding and responding to the unique issues of specific communities can lead to more effective and equitable health improvements.

Title: Oral health equity for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Presenter: TBC
Organisation: Dental Health Services Victoria
Summary: The project is working closely with consumers with lived experience and service providers to develop a statewide oral health promotion and prevention program in Victoria, that is tailored and responsive to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. 		Title: Towards Zero
Presenter: Dr Anjali Ragade, Senior Dentist
Organisation: Echuca Regional Health
Summary: The "Towards Zero" initiative is a community outreach program designed to prevent early childhood caries. Oral health educators proactively engage with parents of newborns in the catchment area, providing essential guidance on diet and oral hygiene to give children the healthiest possible start. 		Title: Aboriginal engagement: The Smile Squad Initiative
Presenter: Melanie van Altena, Director, School Dental Program Implementation
Organisation: Smile Squad
Summary: This initiative is dedicated to improving oral health outcomes by increasing access to and participation in the Smile Squad school dental program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Victoria.

Panel discussion: Vaping in Victoria – Navigating health risks, policy challenges, and cultural impacts

Sue McKeeMichelle JongelisRachael Anderson

Chair: Sue McKee, CEO, DHSV

Speakers:
Michelle Jongenelis, Principal Research Fellow, Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Services, The University of Melbourne

Rachael Andersen, Director, Quit

Theme: A discussion exploring the health implications of vaping, the evolving regulatory landscape, and culturally sensitive strategies to address its rise, particularly among youth populations.

Closing panel discussion: Integrating perspectives to strengthen public health

Sue McKee will facilitate a concluding panel, bringing together reflections from the day’s breakout sessions. Chairs will highlight key themes and takeaways, guiding the conversation toward a critical question: How do we bridge these areas of practice to build a more cohesive and effective public health system?

Afternoon tea and networking

Coffee & tea available