August 2025 Newsletter

Message from the President

Welcome to the latest edition of the Council’s newsletter.

As highlighted in our August 2024 newsletter, the Council continues to receive complaints and monitor media reports regarding dental practitioners encouraging patients to access superannuation to fund dental care. These concerns remain ongoing and significant.

On 30 May 2025, Ahpra, together with the Dental and Medical Boards of Australia, issued  a joint statement reiterating these concerns and reminding practitioners of their ethical obligations under the shared Code of conduct. The Council fully supports and echoes this advice.

As a fellow practitioner, I am deeply concerned that practices such as the removal of ‘saveable’ teeth, failure to treat the underlying causes of dental disease before initiating  complex procedures, inadequate disclosure of long-term treatment prognosis and the unlawful facilitation of early superannuation access are being presented as acceptable standards of care.

The Council recognises that early-career practitioners may find it challenging to question the advice of employers or senior colleagues. However, it is important to remember that each practitioner is personally responsible for all aspects of the care they provide. If you are experiencing difficulty navigating these situations, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from trusted colleagues, mentors, professional associations or support networks.

The process for appointment to the Dental Council of NSW is entirely independent of the Council itself. We were pleased to see strong interest in the recently advertised positions. While I may not know each of you personally, I would like to sincerely thank all applicants for their commitment to public safety in oral health care.

 In this edition of the newsletter, we are placing the spotlight on our newly appointed Council members, who commenced in their roles on 1 July 2025. Advice regarding these appointments has been circulated to all NSW dental practitioners.

On behalf of the Council, I would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Dr Colyn Pavey and Mrs Amita Kant, whose terms concluded on 30 June 2025. We gratefully acknowledge their contributions to public health and safety during their time on Council. In addition to his role as Council member, Dr Pavey also served as a Council Professional Officer and Authorised Person. We thank them both for their service and wish them all the best for the future.

In recent years, the Council has observed a continued increase in the number of complaints lodged about dental practitioners. However, these numbers remain relatively low when considered against the total number of registered practitioners and the high volume of care they provide.

As we have reported previously, the vast majority of complaints do not result in any regulatory action taken by the Council.  This context is a key consideration when determining the complaints fee component of the annual registration fee paid by NSW dental practitioners. Later in the newsletter, we have included an article explaining how the complaints fee for FY2025/26 has been set. Notably, for the first time in many years, NSW dental practitioners are likely to pay a lower complaints fee than their interstate colleagues.

Also in this newsletter, we have included feedback from practitioners who have recently participated in the Council’s complaints or monitoring processes. We believe it important to share these lived experiences and to acknowledge the impact these processes can have on practitioners.

I want to assure practitioners that the Council is committed to resolving complaints as quickly as possible. However, several factors can affect the time it takes to reach an outcome. These include:

• an initial assessment of complaints by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC), prior to consultation with the Council
• opportunities for practitioners to respond to the complaint or provide additional submissions throughout the process
• the seriousness of the matter, including whether a more detailed investigation, assessment or referral to a hearing or panel is required to gather further information or to reach a finding.

We appreciate the patience and professionalism of practitioners throughout these processes.

The Council also acknowledges the expectations of both complainants and practitioners regarding timeliness of complaint resolution, as well as the need to minimise the stress these processes can place on practitioners. As we have emphasised previously, if you find yourself involved in a complaint, it is important to seek support. Reach out to colleagues, professional associations or indemnifiers, or contact Dental Practitioner Support for confidential assistance.

This edition of the newsletter also includes articles on professional obligations, clinical practice, continuing professional development, and opportunities for research and education grants.

We hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter.

Kind regards

Deb

Adjunct Professor Deborah Cockrell AM

President

Spotlight on new Council members

Professor Jenni Millbank – Lawyer

Distinguished Professor Jenni Millbank is a legal practitioner and expert in health law and professional regulation. She is the inaugural Chair of the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Board. Professor Millbank also currently serves as a NSW member of the Professional Standards Council and as a community member on the Registration and Notifications Committee of the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and the Determining Authority of the Professional Services Review.

Dr Mohit Tolani – Practitioner member

Dr Mohit Tolani is a regional dentist in the Illawarra, combining professional and leadership responsibilities with a strong commitment to community and career-focused initiatives. A graduate of dentistry from Griffith University, Mohit also holds a Master of Public Health, Master of Health Management from The University of New South Wales, a Graduate Certificate in Health and Medical Leadership the University of Wollongong and a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) from The University of Sydney. He is currently specialising in Dental Public Health.

Mohit began his career in Shepparton before moving to Dapto, where he is currently employed, while also operating his own clinic in Shellharbour. Alongside his full-time practice and ongoing professional studies, Mohit has made significant contributions to healthcare, Indigenous student education, dental health advocacy, multicultural engagement, and youth leadership. He has led numerous charitable dental initiatives and community projects, creating meaningful local and national impact.

His dedication has been widely recognised with prestigious awards, including the University of Sydney Young Alumni Award, Griffith University Outstanding Health Alumnus of the Year, Shellharbour City Council’s Citizen of the Year (Australia Day awards), and the national and NSW Pride of Australia Medal. In 2023, the Global Summits Institute (GSI) named him among the ‘World’s Top 100 Doctors’ for his clinical excellence and community leadership.

Beyond clinical practice, Mohit plays a noteworthy role in shaping dental policy and public health. He serves as Deputy Chair of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) NSW Advocacy Committee, sits on the ADA’s Federal Policy Committee, and contributes to the Dental Board of Australia’s Notifications and Compliance Committee (Ahpra). Recently appointed as a Council Member of the Dental Council of NSW, Mohit continues to advance safe, effective, and patient-centred dental care across the state.

Annual registration fees for 2025/26

As you will be aware, dental practitioners pay a registration fee each year to the Dental Board of Australia (the Board) and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) in order to maintain their registration in Australia. For NSW practitioners, this fee includes a complaints fee component.

The Board/Ahpra does not manage complaints about the health, conduct and/or performance of practitioners with a principal place of practice in NSW; these are managed by the Dental Council of NSW.

The Council’s regulatory work is funded solely from practitioner registration fees and each year the Council is required to set the complaints component of the registration fee for NSW dental practitioners.  The Council has determined that in FY2025/26 there will be no increase to the NSW complaints fee component of the registration fee. 

The registration period runs from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026 and registration fees should be announced by the Dental Board of Australia soon.

Practitioners’ perspectives on the Council’s complaints and monitoring processes

Feedback has recently been provided by a practitioner who recently received a complaint and is reproduced with their kind permission. 

Family violence prevention and continuing professional development

Late last year, the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) issued a Joint Position on Family Violence which was developed with other regulatory partners: Ahpra, the National Boards, the Health Care Complaints Commission and the Office of the Health Ombudsman.

The Statement recognises the role health practitioners have in family violence by outlining the clear public interest in health professionals being trusted not only to identify possible family violence but also to respond appropriately.

Health professionals may actually be the first point of contact for anyone experiencing such violence. They can detect signs in those at risk, either colleagues or patients.  They can also provide assistance and support, including encouraging the victims/survivors to seek further help.

But responding to situations of family violence in the context of oral health practice needs to be done carefully, sensitively and with respect. Read here to learn more and find out about organisations offering support and information for practitioners.

Use of item numbers - The Australian Schedule of Dental Services

When managing complaints, the Council and/or the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) provide practitioners with the opportunity to respond to the complaint. When the complaint is one that relates to conduct and/or performance, clinical records are almost always expected as one component of that response.  Once again, we should stress that seeking advice from your indemnifier or professional association is a critical first step before submitting your written response.

Item numbers are an integral part of the clinical record and for those new to practising in New South Wales, or colleagues who need a gentle reminder, the Australian Schedule of Dental Services (commonly referred to as the “ADA Schedule”) provides all registered practitioners with clearly described codes to use for the care that you provide. First developed in 1986, the ADA Schedule is currently under review and until the 2025 version is released, item numbers used in the 13^th Edition (2022) should be used to standardise service descriptions and facilitate insurance claims.

Misuse of item numbers can have legal consequences and may raise serious ethical concerns about clinical care provided. 

Resisting pressure: Upholding patient safety and professional integrity

In the dynamic and hierarchical environment of dental practice, junior dental practitioners (both recently graduated from programs in Australia and New Zealand, and those who have recently completed the Australian Dental Council’s assessment process) often encounter implicit or explicit pressure from senior colleagues to undertake procedures beyond their current level of competence. While such pressures may stem from perceived operational needs or a misplaced confidence in the junior clinician’s capabilities, it is essential that dental practitioners resist this pressure and prioritise both patient safety and their own professional integrity.

Ahpra and national Boards' non-surgical cosmetic procedure guidelines

Ahpra and National Boards’ non-surgical cosmetic procedure guidelines

Ahpra and National Boards have published advance copies of two guidelines related to the regulation of registered health practitioners who perform and advertise non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

The guidelines are:

• Guidelines for registered health practitioners who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures (shared practice guidelines)
• Guidelines for advertising higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures (advertising guidelines).

Publishing the advance copies provides time for practitioners, the public and other stakeholders to understand the guidelines prior to them taking effect on Tuesday, 2 September 2025. 

Council Education and Research Grants

Do you have an interest in improving health practitioner regulation through research or education? If so, have you considered applying for a Council education and research grant?

These grants are funded up to $20,000 per application, with a maximum of 2 years duration.  Smaller grants of shorter duration are also encouraged.

What types of projects are funded?

The Council will consider applications that relate to its regulatory work – i.e. dental practitioner/student conduct, performance and health.  Examples are enhancements to educational programs that lead to registration; identification of risk factors associated with complaints, or the assessment of outcomes relating to health, performance or conduct pathways. Development and evaluation of continuing professional development courses or training that will support the Council’s regulatory activities are other examples.

Applications open on 1 February each year and close on 1 May.  Visit the Council’s website to view the detailed guidelines and eligibility criteria.

Health and wellbeing support service for dental practitioners

Maintaining our own health and wellbeing is important. Due to personal and/or professional circumstances we may need some extra support at certain times in our lives. This may include when a complaint has been made about you, which can be a very stressful time. 

The Dental Board of Australia has funded a nationwide health and wellbeing support service - Dental Practitioner Support. This is the first national 24/7 telephone and online service for dental practitioners. It also offers support to dental students, educators, employers, Australian Dental Council exam candidates and concerned family members.

An experienced team of counsellors provides confidential and immediate support, advice and referral on a wide range of health, as well as wellbeing related issues. The service runs independently of the Board and anyone calling does not have to give their name.

If you are experiencing difficulties, the Council strongly encourages you to access this free and anonymous service.

Access Dental Practitioner Support:
•    1800 377 700
•    dpsupport.org.au