Agenda

Opening formalities - [9.30am]

Keynote speaker: Daniel Nour – founder of Street Side Medics

[10am - 10.40am]

Theme: Connecting communities with care

Featured speaker: Dr Sharon Hakkennes - Victorian Department of Health

[10.40am - 11.10am]

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

Morning tea and networking - [11.10am - 11.50am]

Breakout sessions

[11.50 - 1.10pm]

Breakout 1: Research and emerging trends

Clare LIn

Chair: Clare Lin, Director of Policy, Oral Health Victoria

Breakout 2: Advances in clinical practice

Werner Bischof

Chair: Werner Bischof, Chief Oral Health Officer, Oral Health Victoria

Breakout 3: Population health – local action, meaningful change

Amy Patterson

Chair: Amy Patterson, Director of Population Health, Oral Health Victoria

Breakout 4: Value Based Healthcare – delivering on the promise

Sonia Coleman

Chair: Sonia Coleman, Director of Value Based Healthcare, Oral Health Victoria

Breakout session details

Lunch and networking - [1.10pm - 2.20pm]

Featured speaker: Jane Martin – Food for Health Alliance

[2.20pm - 2.50pm]

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

Presentations: Building healthier communities – local initiatives and insights

[2.50pm - 3.20pm]

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: Oral Health 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 McKee Michelle Jongelis Rachael Anderson

[3.20pm - 3.55pm]

Chair: Sue McKee, CEO, Oral Health Victoria

Panellists:
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

Rebecca Ahern, Marketing and Communications Executive, VicHealth

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 discussion: Integrating best practice – towards a cohesive health system

[3.55pm - 4.15pm]

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 health system?

Afternoon tea and networking - [4.15pm - 5pm]

Coffee & tea available