Our Vision & Mission
The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) will continue as a global leader in the provision of postgraduate education, professional development and educational qualifications in dentistry, thereby enhancing the oral health of the community. The RACDS will prioritise awareness of the specific oral health needs of Indigenous peoples.
Our Mission is to promote professional excellence in dentistry through the provision of evidence-based dental education, professional development and examination, and provide an educational home for dentists at all stages of their careers.
Read about our Strategic Plan 2021 – 2024
RACDS Statement on Voice to Parliament
The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) is committed to strengthening the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia and Māori peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand within our education programs and through participation in the College. Through our strategic direction, the RACDS has committed to focus on prioritising awareness of the oral health needs of Indigenous peoples. To further this goal, the College has established an Indigenous Advisory Committee, to provide guidance and advice to the Board of Directors.
The upcoming referendum on establishing an Indigenous Voice to the Australian Parliament, provides an opportunity for the Australian public to consider the impact of the proposed Voice on the nations journey towards reconciliation.
The Board of the RACDS acknowledges that some of our Fellows and Members may hold differing viewpoints on the Voice and support each individual’s right to make their own decisions during the Australian referendum. We encourage the membership, as leaders in the dental community across the country, to actively engage in the discussion and debate that will take place in the coming weeks. The Indigenous Dental Association Australia has released a statement that provides further information for interested members, which can be accessed here.
Regardless of the outcome of the referendum, the RACDS recognises that purposeful collaboration and partnership takes time and will remain committed to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori participation within our programs and in supporting our membership to understand the specific oral health needs of Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous Health
RACDS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which many of our members work and live, and recognises and respects their continuing connection to land, water and community. RACDS pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
RACDS is committed to strengthening the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia and Māori peoples of New Zealand within our education programs and participation in the College at many levels.
The College will focus on prioritising awareness of the oral health needs of Indigenous peoples through;
- Developing an engagement plan informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori organisations
- Maintaining and strengthening relationships with organisations such as Australian Indigenous Dental Association, New Zealand Māori Dental Association, Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association), Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME Network), Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand and ACODS (The Australasian Council of Dental Schools)
- Facilitating mechanisms for the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia and Māori of New Zealand and their representative bodies in the design and delivery of any cultural curriculum development.
- Supporting the recruitment and retention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia and Māori of New Zealand to join the College and programs.
- Monitoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia and Māori of New Zealand membership within the College.
A new skills-based Board supported by a larger Advisory Council has been introduced to better reflect a wide diversity of College membership and ensure Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and Māori representation.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health
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The College supports the intent of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, in recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution of Australia, which would allow Indigenous representation in the laws and policies affecting them. The College acknowledges that reconciliation is an ongoing journey, and the development of our RAP plays an important role in supporting our strategic vision to prioritise awareness of the specific oral health needs of Indigenous peoples.
Committing to a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) will allow us to identify and develop relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, establish our vision for reconciliation and explore our sphere of influence. Our vision for reconciliation outlined in our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is based and measured on five interrelated dimensions: historical acceptance, race relations, equality, institutional integrity, and unity. We encourage our members to read and learn more about our Reflect RAP and consider how they can contribute to reconciliation in their own workplaces. Read about the RACDS Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan College members also have access to a complimentary cultural awareness course provided by Your Mob Learning. To access this learning resource please login to your membership dashboard.
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RACDS First Nations Scholarship
The RACDS recognises that people of Indigenous backgrounds face many challenges, including the opportunities to undertake further professional development. The RACDS is committed to supporting Indigenous people to be future leaders of the College and the profession.
The RACDS First Nations scholarship aims to support funding of Indigenous dentists to undertake further training or education, either internal or external to the College. This could be in dentistry or leadership/management/governance.
Each year the RACDS provides one First Nations scholarship for an Indigenous dentist valued at up to $5,000 AUD.
