The SA/NT Regional Committee invites you to their Annual Scientific Meeting on Friday, 19 June 2026. Registrations will close on Monday, 15 June.
Event information
ACST
- $350 - RACDS Fellows, Members, Affiliates, Associates and Candidates
- $450 - RACDS non-members
- $0 - RACDS Students
- $250 - Hygienists/Therapists/OHTs
The SA/NT Regional Committee invites you to their Annual Scientific Meeting on Friday, 19 June 2026. Registrations will close on Monday, 15 June.
Joe Verco Lecture theatre in the AHMS buildingExplore the theme, “Past, Present, Future”, a program designed to examine the critical decisions that shape contemporary dental practice and the future of the profession.
This year’s meeting brings together leading clinicians, educators and thought leaders to explore the when, where and why behind clinical decision-making, professional responsibility and the evolving role of dentistry in a changing healthcare landscape.
Through a dynamic and multidisciplinary program, delegates will engage with topics that extend beyond clinical techniques; addressing sustainability in dental practice, the future of specialist training, and the broader responsibilities of dental professionals in safeguarding.
Program:
8:00AM – 8:30AM – Welcome and housekeeping (SA/NT Regional Committee Chair, Dr Yvonne Lai)
8:35AM – Welcome (Dean of School of Dentistry, Prof Richard Logan)
8:45AM – Welcome (RACDS President, Dr Erin Mahoney)
9:00AM – 10:30AM – Should We Still Try To Save The Tooth? A 2026 Endo-Perio Perspective by Dr Barbara Plutzer and Clinical A/Prof Andre Bendyk
10:30AM – 11:00AM – Morning Tea
11:00AM – 12:00PM – From Waste to Wisdom: The Future of Sustainability Dentistry by Dr Corinne Ang
12:00PM – 12:15PM – SA/NT Annual Meeting (RACDS Fellows and Members ONLY)
12:00PM – 1:30PM – Lunch
1:30PM – 2:15PM – The Unified Frontier: Operationalising the Three Pillars of Oral Health in the Northern Territory by Dr Mohan Kandasamy
2:15PM – 3:00PM – RACDS Specialist Training in New Zealand – Future Directions and Lessons Learnt by Dr Erin Mahoney
3:00PM – 3:30PM – Afternoon Tea
3:30PM – 4:15PM – Child Protection – Everyone’s Responsibility by Her Honour Judge Emily Telfer
4:30PM – 5:00PM – Q&A and closing remarks
Date: Friday, 19 June 2026
Time: 8:30AM – 5:00PM ACST
Location: Joe Verco Lecture Theatre in the AHMS building, 4 North Terrace, Adelaide
Price:
$350 – RACDS Fellows, Members, Affiliates, Associates and Candidates
$450 – RACDS non-members
$250 – Hygienists, Therapists, OHTs
$0 – RACDS Students (excludes catering)
CPD: 5.5 CPD hours (certificates provided post-event)
Dress code: Smart casual
Registration close: Monday, 15 June 2026
To register, simply click on the “Sign in to Register” button located in the right-hand panel, and log in using your RACDS credentials. If you are already logged in, please click the “Register Now” button. Please ensure to complete the registration process entirely.
If you would like to access complimentary student registration, you must hold RACDS Student membership (free for current university students enrolled in an approved dental course leading to registration as a general dentist). If you do not yet hold RACDS Student membership, click here to join. If you already have RACDS Student membership, simply sign in and register.
Lecture Synopsis
From Waste to Wisdom: The Future of Sustainable Dentistry |Dr Corinne Ang
Modern dentistry relies on sophisticated technologies and strict infection control- but these advances have also created significant environmental challenges. From disposable materials to energy use and procurement systems, dental care contributes to a growing healthcare footprint. The next evolution of dentistry must therefore balance clinical excellence with environmental responsibility.
This presentation will explore how sustainability is emerging as a defining issue for the future of dentistry. It will discuss the origins of environmental initiatives within the profession, the role of leadership and committees advancing sustainability, and the technologies and innovations that are transforming dental practice. Most importantly, it will explore how dentists can lead change- reimagining dental care in ways that are not only clinically effective, but environmentally responsible.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognise the environmental footprint of modern dental practice and its implications for healthcare sustainability.
- Understand the evolving role of environmental sustainability within the dental profession.
- Identify emerging technologies and approaches that support more sustainable dental care.
- Apply practical strategies to reduce waste and environmental impact in their own dental practices.
- Reflect on how dentists can contribute to shaping a more sustainable future for oral healthcare.
Specialist Training – Future Directions and Lessons Learnt | Dr Erin Mahoney
The RACDS has become an accredited provider of education in New Zealand for Paediatric Dentistry, Special Care Dentistry and Oral Medicine. This is a 5 year project which is still an ongoing . This discussion will provide information about how the RACDS went through this process, the lessons learnt and the pitfalls of this type of project. Erin will have time to answer questions and also will provide some further information about the other initiatives and projects being conducted by the college.
Child Protection – Everyone’s Responsibility |Her Honour Judge Emily Telfer
This presentation will cover the legal framework that governs the responsibilities of mandatory reporters and the government’s response to child abuse and neglect. It will include information about how abuse and neglect of children are investigated and assessed. The session will include information about the growing recognition of the risk of harm over time from accumulated acts of harm and neglect, and the complexities of family violence and illicit drug use in the protection of children.
Should We Still Try To Save The Tooth? A 2026 Endo-Perio Perspective | Dr Barbara Plutzer and Clinical A/Prof Andre Bendyk
Barbara and Andre will address the predictability of various endodontic and periodontal treatment modalities and draw comparison with prosthodontic replacement options, particularly dental implants, in a number of different clinical scenarios.
Learning Objectives:
- The success of endodontic treatment in teeth with different pulpal status
- Predictability of apical endodontic surgery
- Logical sequencing of interdisciplinary treatment
- Knowledge of periodontal regenerative and soft tissue grafting procedures
- Implant assessment at a patient and site level
- Limitations of implant dentistry
The Unified Frontier: Operationalising the Three Pillars of Oral Health in the Northern Territory | Dr Mohan Kandasamy
The Northern Territory (NT) presents a uniquely challenging oral health landscape characterised by vast geography, dispersed populations, and a high burden of complex chronic disease. This presentation outlines how a System-Wide Integrated Ecosystem operationalises the NT’s Three Pillars of Oral Health—Service Provision, Targeted Prevention, and Universal Public Health—to deliver cohesive and equitable care. Integrated pathways support a continuum of clinical services, including urban clinics, remote outreach, General Anaesthetic (GA) dentistry, and tertiary Special Needs care at Royal Darwin Hospital. Preventive strategies such as school fluoride varnish programs and the remote “Health Home” model embed oral health within primary healthcare, while Justice Health initiatives and community water fluoridation reinforce population-wide oral health gains.
A defining feature of this ecosystem is its multidisciplinary approach to caring for medically vulnerable groups, particularly those living with Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). By aligning oral health with chronic disease management, the system creates a robust clinical safety net for high-risk populations.
Technology plays a critical enabling role through tele dentistry, remote triage, and unified electronic health records that support continuity across vast distances. However, challenges—including unreliable connectivity, equipment durability issues, and data governance—underscore the persistent digital divide. This session demonstrates how strategic integration of clinical practice, prevention, and technology can strengthen oral health outcomes across the NT.
Learning Outcome:
Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how a System Wide Integrated Ecosystem operationalises the Three Pillars of Oral Health across the Northern Territory, improving care in remote and high disease burden settings. They will deepen their appreciation of multidisciplinary collaboration for vulnerable groups, particularly those with RHD and CKD, and understand how oral health can be integrated into chronic disease management. Participants will also recognise the benefits and limitations of technologies such as teledentistry and unified electronic health records, strengthening their ability to evaluate integrated service models and identify opportunities to enhance oral health outcomes in complex environments.
Speakers
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Dr Corinne Ang
BDS Adelaide (2006), BSc Hons in Dentistry (2009)
Dr Corinne Ang is a dentist with a strong interest in environmental sustainability in healthcare and the role of the dental profession in responding to climate and environmental challenges. She previously served as Chair of the Environmental and Sustainability Committee for the Australian Dental Association (SA Branch), where she helped raise awareness of the environmental impact of dental practice and promoted practical strategies for more sustainable dentistry. Her work has focused on reducing waste in dental practice, encouraging sustainable procurement, and supporting the adoption of environmentally responsible technologies while maintaining high standards of patient care. She is passionate about helping the dental profession better understand its environmental footprint and the opportunities for positive change. Dr Ang is also the CEO of Asian Australians for Climate Solutions, a community organisation working to empower Asian communities in Australia to engage in climate action and environmental solutions. Through her professional and community leadership, she advocates for a future where healthcare contributes not only to individual wellbeing but also to the health of communities and the planet.
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Dr Erin Mahoney
BDS MDSc(Paeds) PhD FRACDS(GDP) MRACDS(Paeds)
Erin Mahoney is the RACDS President and a Paediatric Dentist in Wellington New Zealand. Erin has been involved with the RACDS since sitting her primary exams in 1997 and balances her time between the duties at the RACDS, being a mother to 5 kids and a sometimes kind wife.
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Her Honour Judge Emily Telfer
Bachelor of Arts (Jurisprudence) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Judge Emily Telfer is a Judge of the District Court and the Environment, Resources and Development Court of South Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Jurisprudence) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the Adelaide University and a Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice from the University of South Australia. Prior to her appointment to the District Court in January 2022 she was a Queens Counsel practicing Len King Chambers, and prior that she worked as a Prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Her practice included a focus on the prosecution of serious child abuse allegations. Between 2015 and 2016 Judge Telfer served as Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Child Protection Systems which produced a comprehensive report for the reform of South Australia’s child protection system. She has a special interest in the experience of children and other vulnerable witnesses in the criminal justice system, and the intersection of the child protection system and the criminal law.
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Dr Mohan Kandasamy
Clinical Manager
With over 17 years in public oral health, Dr. Mohan Kandasamy has mastered the art of delivering clinical excellence across the Northern Territory’s most rugged landscapes—a role that requires the precision of a dental surgeon and, occasionally, the navigational instincts of an explorer. His long-standing commitment to the Territory is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that he originally signed on as a level 3 dental officer for what was supposed to be a “one-month” stint—and yet, 17 years later, he is still waiting for that month to end. Now as the Clinical Manager for the Top End Oral Health Service, he oversees a complex network of 33 fixed remote clinics, ensuring quality care reaches every corner of the region. During his tenure as additional responsibility of Clinical Manager for Central Australia, he was tasked with managing a fleet of heavy-duty dental trucks to provide essential dental services where the office literally comes to the patient. Dr. Kandasamy is known for his approach to remote health, from implementing digital dental radiography to developing a CDBS and voucher module in the Titanium software to ensure high-tech diagnostics and streamlined claims don’t stop where the pavement ends. Through it all, he has cultivated a legendary sense of patience—a skill honed not just in surgery, but through the “character-building” experience of navigating Spark technology and the creative timelines of the IT teams that manage it. By collaborating with the Defence team to deploy dentists into these remote gaps, he has proven that while the roads may be unsealed, the standard of care never should be. A Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, he remains deeply committed to First Nations health, partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to bridge the gap in care—one dusty kilometre at a time.
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Clinical A/Prof Andre Bendyk
BDS (Adel), FRACDS (Perio), DClinDent (Adel)
Andre completed his specialist training in Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at the University of Adelaide in 2007. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, Pierre Fauchard Academy and International College of Dentistry. He is frequently invited to give lectures and training courses to dentists and study groups around Australia. He is a teacher and examiner of Periodontal Post-Graduate Students, an ANZAP Federal Councillor and Past President and Federal Treasurer of the Australian Society of Periodontology. His clinical interests are in the areas of dental implantology, hard and soft tissue grafting and advanced periodontitis. Andre owns Adelaide Periodontal and Implant Professionals on Pulteney St. Outside of the practice he enjoys tennis, surfing and spending time with his young family.
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Dr Barbara Plutzer
BDS (Adel), DClinDent (Endo), FICD
Dr Plutzer completed her post-graduate training in Endodontics in 2009 at the University of Adelaide, after working in general dental practice for over 7 years. General dentistry allowed her to travel and work in regional Australia, including country Victoria and the beautiful south coast of NSW. A growing interest in the field of Endodontics led to a return to Adelaide to pursue further study. Barbara joined North Terrace Endodontics where she is in partnership with Ian Trantor and Lawrence Alvino. Barbara became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental surgeons in 2007. She is the past president of the Australian Society of Endodontology (SA Branch) and is the current Federal SA Councillor for the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Endodontology. She is actively involved in lecturing at the University of Adelaide. Outside of her professional commitments, Barbara enjoys pilates, cooking and spending family time with her husband and three young sons.
