CPD Masterclass: Practice Management, Law, Ethics and Risk Management

Adj A/Prof John Dale has been coordinating the Masterclass for the College in the discipline of Practice Management, Ethics and Law since 2013 Adj A/Prof Dale was a reserve member of the Alumni Council and he has been associated with the University of Sydney, since he graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1964, and a Master of Dental Surgery in 1966. After graduation, he served in the Royal Australian Army as a dental officer and then after worked in the UK. He returned to Sydney and entered private dental practice. He has been teaching at the university since 1967 when he was appointed as a clinical tutor in Paediatric Dentistry. Adj A/Prof Dale obtained his Doctorate in Dental Surgery at the University of Toronto in 1970 and was appointed Visiting Professor in Dentistry, Northwestern University, Chicago, in 1975-76 Adj A/Prof Dale graduated Bachelor of Laws from UNSW. He was admitted to the Bar in NSW in 1979 and since then has lectured in the Faculty of Dentistry in Ethics and Legal Responsibility, being appointed an Adjunct Associate Professor in 1996, while in private dental practice Adj A/Prof Dale continues to be responsible for providing courses to undergraduate and graduate programs in the Faculty of Dentistry and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, as well as Charles Sturt University. Adj A/Prof Dale has had a strong involvement with the University of Sydney. He was dental representative on the SRC 1962-63, President of the Dental Alumni Society 1979-1981, Australian Dental Association President 1985-87. Adj A/Prof Dale was appointed as President of the Dental Board NSW in 1987 and resigned in 2007 and a member of the Dental Council of NSW until 2015. He also served as President of the Australian Dental Council from 1997 to 2000 and was responsible for the accreditation of Australian Dental Schools. Adj A/Prof Dale is in (now) part time general dental practice, and has written and edited publications on Professional Misconduct and dental legal issues. Adj A/Prof John Dale was a Churchill Fellow in 1991 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1991 and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2002 for service to the dental profession.

Alexander completed his undergraduate dental degree in Sheffield (UK) and then completed a further four degrees in law, dental public health, community dentistry and research from the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Before moving to Sydney in 2015, Alexander worked clinically in private and public practice in the North of England, holding a special interest in conscious sedation and the use of hypnosis in dentistry. Alexander holds specialist registration with the Dental Board of Australia in Public Health (Community) Dentistry and is internationally recognised for his work on oral health systems, dental ethics and healthcare professionalism. In Australia, he has worked within the private, public and academic sectors and currently holds senior academic and public health positions, as well as being a private practice owner. Alexander is currently the Head of Specialist Services at Sydney Dental Hospital and Oral Health Services where he manages a diverse and integrated portfolio of specialised departments offering cutting-edge care. The departments within the portfolio contain conventional specialist services such as prosthodontics and oral medicine, alongside more holistic care such as social work. Alexander is a Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney School of Dentistry where he is also the Head of Subject Area for Professional Practice along with other governance roles. Alongside his clinical and academic expertise, Alexander is also a Board Director for the Australasian College of Legal Medicine. He is an Associate Editor of the prestigious Journal of Bioethical Inquiry and has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications. Alexander is a Fellow by examination of the Australasian College of Legal Medicine and the College of General Dentistry, as well as a member in specialist practice (Dental Public Health) with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

Marianne Nicolle is a lawyer and a founding Principal of Meridian Lawyers. For the past 25 years Marianne has advised health professionals, including dentists, on professional risk. She regularly represents dentists in the following areas: litigated claims for compensation, coronial investigations and inquests, privacy complaints, discrimination complaints, notifications to AHPRA, the HCCC and Professionals Councils, Department of Health audits, PRP and PSR processes, private health fund audits and general legal compliance. Marianne has been continuously recognised in the peer review guides, Best Lawyers in Australia and Doyle’s Guide since 2016, in the areas of Health & Aged Care Law (Lawyer of the Year in 2020), Medical Negligence (Lawyer of the Year in 2019) and Professional Malpractice Litigation. She has presented to the RACDS CPD Masterclass on Practice Management, Law, Ethics and Risk Management since 2013.

Georgina Odell is a Principal at Meridian Lawyers. With more than 25 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer, Georgina acts for a range of business clients including dentists, pharmacists, medical practitioners, online health businesses, national peak body associations, education and care services, veterinary practitioners, gym and fitness businesses, and companies listed on the ASX. Georgina handles the sale and acquisition of businesses and companies particularly in the healthcare sector, and prepares a range of commercial agreements including partnership, shareholder and buy/sell agreements, terms and conditions of business (including for online businesses), privacy policies, data breach response plans, independent contractor agreements, and services and facilities agreements. She also advises on the leasing of commercial premises and in business disputes. A sought after presenter, Georgina regularly delivers seminars and educational training sessions for dental, pharmacy and veterinary practitioners.