RACDS Foundation

The RACDS Foundation is a separate entity to the College and governed by an independent Board of Directors. The Foundation was established a quarter of a century ago to financially support postgraduate study, research and training in the field of dental science. For several years small grants were made to support the following initiatives:

Rural and Remote travel grants for two candidates for the Fellowship Examination in General Dental Practice (formerly known as Final Examination)
The Foundation was supported by the Princess of Wales Research Fund to perform dental research at the University of Adelaide into side effects in child oncology

Human hands holding earth global over blurred city night background. Elements of this image furnished by NASA

RACDS Foundation Research Prize Program

In 2024, the Foundation inaugurated a program of research grants, designed to financially underpin start-up dental research and training initiatives. The seed funding of up to $5000 for three awards each year was designed to enable many projects to secure a sound financial footing in the first year of the research or training program.

In 2026, three Prizes are available to any Member or Fellow of the College undertaking research that will support continuing professional development of dentists and contribute to developing the evidence base of dentistry. Please note Student members, Affiliates and Associates are not eligible to apply.

For any further information about the RACDS Foundation Research Prize Program for 2026, or to submit completed application forms, please email: [email protected]

To download an application pack, please click on the forms below:

Form 1: Application Form

Form 2: Ethical Agreement

Form 3: Application Guidelines

Form 4: Research Report Template

Form 5: Criteria for Funding

Form 6: Application Checklist

Applications open: Thursday, 6 November 2025
Applications close: Monday, 22 December 2025

“A major advantage the Foundation enjoys is its tax deductible status and over many years a large number of College members have generously donated money to the Foundation. Without them, the Foundation could never have survived, let alone built up a now solid financial base. In previous years, spending activity was necessarily constrained since a core requirement of any Foundation is to build a safe funding base from which grants and prizes can be reliably awarded, without depleting the Foundation’s financial position. So, it is pleasing that in 2024 the foundation is launching a program to provide start-up funding for three awardees each year. They will use our money to initiate research projects in all regions where RACDS members are involved in dental research.”

Dr Ross Bastiaan, Chair.

Foundation Directors

Dr Ross J Bastiaan AM RFD

Chair RACDS Foundation

MDSc (Melb), LDS (Vic) MSc (Lond), FRACDS, FDS RCS (Edin Hon), FRACDS(Hon), MRACDS(Perio), FICD, FADI, FPFA

Dr Ross Bastiaan, periodontist, became a Fellow of the College by examination in 1979. He served on the Victorian Regional committee from 1982 to 1989 and was its Chair in 1988. In 1990 he was elected to the Federal Council and became the Treasurer in 1996 and President of the College from 2002 until 2004.

Ross witnessed great change in the College during his time on Council and saw a major expansion into Asia and elsewhere. During his later period in office, he was instrumental in forming alliances with the universities and with the Dental Faculties of the Royal Surgical Colleges of the United Kingdom. Ross conceptualised the Foundation in 1997 and saw its commencement during his final four years on Council.

In 2006, he became the Chair of the Foundation, succeeding the inaugural Chair, Dr Reg Hession.

A/Prof Neil Peppitt AM

BDS MDSc FRACDS FDSRCS Eng MRACDS(Pros) FACD FICD FPFA

A/Prof Neil Peppitt has been an active member of the College for over 20 years. He was President from 2006 – 2008 and a Board Member prior to that, and is the current Registrar for Specialist Dental Practice (SDP). He was appointed RACDS Foundation director in 2010.

Neil has been extensively involved outside the College as President of the NSW Branch of the Australian Dental Association from 2017 – 2019 and has served as Treasurer in 2017 and as an Executive Committee Member. He holds the rank of Wing Commander, Prosthodontist, Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserves and has been a Member of Medicare’s Professional Services Review Panel since 2012.

Dr Patrick Russo

BDSc (Melb) FRACDS FICD FPFA FRACDS(Hon)

Dr Patrick Russo graduated BDSc from the University of Melbourne in 1983 and was awarded Fellowship by examination in the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS) in 1988. Patrick has conducted a private general practice in Brighton, Victoria since 1985.

In addition to his private general practice, Patrick has been a part-time clinical demonstrator at the University of Melbourne and has examined in General Dentistry for the final examination FRACDS.

Patrick has served on several boards and committees within the profession. He was an elected Board member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons for 10 years and President of the College 2016-2018. He is a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy (FPFA) and the International College of Dentists (FICD). He has served as an Australasian trustee for the International Pierre Fauchard Academy.

In 2019 Patrick’s service to RACDS was recognised with an Honorary Fellowship.

Dr Suzanne Hanlin

BDS MDS (Otago) PGDipHealInf FRACDS MRACDS(Pros)

Dr Suzanne Hanlin is a clinical academic and specialist prosthodontist at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand. Suzanne is an Otago graduate in dentistry and has a postgraduate degree in Prosthodontics with distinction and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Informatics with Credit.

For twenty years, she worked in Specialist Prosthodontic practice in Melbourne having spent time in general and hospital practice in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. Suzanne taught at Melbourne University and the University of Otago. Her research interests include: prosthodontic teaching, implant dentistry and informatics.

Suzanne was awarded Fellowship RACDS in the General Stream and the Kenneth J.G. Sutherland Prize in 1992 and MRACDS(Pros) in 2009. She served as RACDS Honorary Treasurer 2006 – 2012 and has been a member of both the Victorian and New Zealand RACDS Regional Committees, and the RACDS Board of Studies – Prosthodontics from 2015 – 2022.

In 2022, Suzanne was awarded Life Fellowship of the College in recognition of her service. She was appointed to the RACDS Foundation in 2023.

Dr Jonathan Rogers OAM

BDS, Grad Cert Dent, Dip Imp Dent RCSEd FRACDS FICD, FPFA, FADI, GAICD

Dr Jonathan Rogers a general practitioner since 1975 with special interest in surgery and implant dentistry. He became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons by examination in 1981. He has contributed extensively to the College through leadership, education, and governance roles both at regional and federal executive roles.

He has served as an RACDS Councillor from 1991 to 2004 and during that time served as Honorary Treasurer, and Chairman of both the Continuing Education Committee the Board of Studies in General Dental Practice and was instrumental in establishing the membership program for general dental practice.

Jonathan has also been deeply involved with the Australian Dental Association SA Branch and the Pierre Fauchard Academy, serving as Australasian President and International Trustee, and is a Fellow of several international dental honour organisations including the International College of Dentists and the Academy of Dentistry International and various other dental groups.

Over 50 years he has experienced great changes in the profession, community expectations and enormous advances in technology. These present some challenges and opportunities for the RACDS.

He has recently retired from clinical private practice and teaching as a clinical lecturer and tutor.

Dr Catherine Prineas

BDS(Hons) Grad Dip Clin Dent (Sedation) FRACDS(GDP) FICD

Dr Catherine Prineas completed her training at the University of Sydney and is engaged in private general practice, also in Sydney. She commenced her career as a Dental Officer in the Australian Regular Army and maintains a role in the Army Reserve.

Catherine was awarded Fellowship in the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in 2007. She has been involved with the MRACDS (GDP) Program for over 15 years serving as Assistant Registrar 2008 – 2016, Registrar 2017-2020 and currently as a member of the Board of Studies. Catherine has participated on the College’s Education Policy Board and Board of Studies (FRACDS) and has examined for the Fellowship Examination in General Dental Practice.

She was appointed to the College Foundation in 2023 and received the RACDS Meritorious Service Award in 2024.