VIC/TAS Regional Committee Annual Scientific Meeting & Dinner

Dr Amanda Leske is a Specialist Paediatric Dentist and Honorary Adjunct Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University. Amanda completed her Bachelor of Dental Science with Honours at The University of Melbourne and ventured out to regional Victoria on a Public Rural Bonded Scholarship. Amanda went on to complete the Fellowship of The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS), where she was awarded the Kenneth J.G. Sutherland prize for highest marks achieved in the general practice stream. After many happy years in private practice and educating roles at La Trobe University, Amanda returned to The University of Melbourne to complete the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Paediatric Dentistry. Upon graduation, Amanda published multiple papers in peer-reviewed journals on the topic of motivational interviewing for caries prevention and was awarded Membership in the Specialist Dental Practice Stream of the RACDS. Amanda then returned to regional Victoria to take up the role of Senior Dentist at Bendigo Health Community Dental Service where she has been responsible for clinical governance of the 31-chair clinic as well as delivery of specialist paediatric dentistry to the Greater Bendigo community. Amanda serves on multiple committees including the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry and the Vic/Tas regional committee of the RACDS, and is an honorary senior lecturer at La Trobe University. Amanda is currently establishing Bendigo’s very first private specialist paediatric dental practice and is passionate about supporting and upskilling local practitioners to deliver exceptional dental care to children, particularly those with special needs.

A/Prof Haylea Blundell is a specialist Orthodontist and an Associate Professor at La Trobe University. Haylea completed her undergraduate dental degree at Latrobe University in 2014 and worked as a general dentist for three years in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. She completed her primary exams in 2016 and was accepted into The University of Queensland to specialise as an orthodontist in 2018. Haylea has obtained her Membership in Primary Dental Science and Specialist Dental Practice in Orthodontics through the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. Haylea has co-authored a chapter in a recently published textbook, Orthodontic Aligner Treatment and has published two articles in the most prestigious orthodontic journal, The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics in 2021 and 2022. She currently has another article under review for publication. Haylea’s research has centred around clear aligners. Her research has received worldwide recognition winning 3rd prize at the International Orthodontic Congress in Japan in 2020, the Elsdon Storey Prize through the Australian Society of Orthodontists, the Rising Star award by the Australasian Clear Aligner Society and has presented her research in Japan, New Zealand, America and has been invited to present at the European Orthodontic Society conference in Norway, June 2023. Haylea is a local to Bendigo and is proud to have returned to her hometown and provide specialist orthodontic care to Bendigo and regional Victoria, establishing her private orthodontic practice Bendigo Orthodontic Specialists in March 2021.

Mehrnoosh(Nu) is a Victorian-trained Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon. She has undergone fellowships in craniofacial/skull base surgery, corrective jaw surgery and trauma at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and King’s College Hospital, London. She has researched collaboratively with the eviDent Foundation and completed a Master of Philosophy in Dental Science at the University of Melbourne Dental School in the field of dental implantology. Nu works at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and in private specialist practice in Melbourne and regional Victoria. She is a Senior Lecturer at Charles Sturt University and is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education at the University of Melbourne. Special interests include corrective jaw surgery, craniofacial trauma, dentoalveolar surgery and implantology and facial aesthetics. Whilst from London originally, Nu is proud to call Victoria home. In her spare time, she enjoys classical ballet and loves exploring the outdoors. She is also getting her private pilot’s license and is learning to fly a military jet, as a part of a documentary being filmed called “Any Fool Can Fly!”

Dr Chee Chang trained at the University of Otago (NZ) graduating in 1999. He then joined Wellington Hospital In the capital city of Wellington, New Zealand and worked as a dental house surgeon where he further developed his skills in oral surgery and management of complex medically compromised patients. Following this, commenced work in private practice in Auckland, and would later relocate to the UK where he worked in Somerset county and in London. Chee completed a postgraduate diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons (UK) in 2006 in advanced general dentistry. He later returned to New Zealand to undertake specialist training, finishing in 2009. During this time, Chee completed his research thesis on dental ceramics, and has published his work in a well respected international journal, The Journal of Prosthodontics. He has maintained teaching positions at both the University of Sydney and Melbourne University. Chee lectures regularly to dental students, dentists and other dental specialists on all aspects related to prosthodontics and implant dentistry. He is a frequently invited speaker at conferences, both in Australia and overseas, and is a key opinion leader for a number of dental companies. Chee is a member of the Australian Dental Association, the International College of Prosthodontists, the Academy of Australian and New Zealand Prosthodontists, the New Zealand Association of Prosthodontists and Restorative Dentists, the Australian Prosthodontic Society, and the International Team for Implantology (ITI). At present, Chee serves as the Federal President of the Australian Prosthodontic Society, and also serves on committees for the Australian Dental Association.