Walk[a]bout - a special dentistry journey

As we embrace the twenty-first century, the government, health care providers and the community are wondering about the future of health. How do we – as compassionate and caring practitioners - provide access to quality care for all Australians? Not simply those who are the easiest to treat. Everybody.

Walk[a]bout was part of the process in achieving oral health care goals for people with Special Needs - a long-awaited seminar held in June 2005 presented by the Australian Society of Special Care in Dentistry (ASSCID). Because every time we forge a new partnership, share our ideas, and educate ourselves, we are making a difference.

Westmead Hospital hosted the seminar with the endorsement of Westmead Centre for Oral Health (WCOH) and the University of Sydney, Faculty of Dentistry on June 16- 18. Dr Leda Mugayar, the Head of the Special Care Unit, opened the seminar. Professor Eli Schwartz, the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry and Mr Keith Merchant for WCOH welcomed delegates at the opening seminar. We had an incredible amount of support in sponsorship from Halas, GC, Pfizer Australia, Oral-B, Colgate, 3M ESPE, Dentsply Australia, Biotene, the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), as well as Australasian Dental Practice magazine. Walk[a]bout was attended by over 85 health professionals from Australia and New Zealand. The range of speakers from as diverse cultures as Japan, Argentina and India helped to seal an international flavour. There was also an excellent representation from dental industry with 20 companies in attendance.

Participants were impressed by the range of topics from minimal intervention dentistry, to more alternative health interventions like music therapy. Other subjects covered on Breakthrough Day were the use of Botox in Special Needs, managing phobic patients, and domiciliary dentistry. Building Bridges Day included assessment and management of salivary dysfunction, treatment of tongue-tie, Oral Motor Function Therapy, psychology and sexuality – often under recognised in the Special Needs patient. A moving discussion of one individual's personal battle with cancer and her outlet through art therapy helped to put the day into perspective.

The final part of Walk[a]bout was an oral presentation competition on topics such as schizophrenia, Huntington disease, ectodermal dysplasia and even eye prosthesis construction. The winning piece was from Dr Mina Borromeo of Melbourne with her current research into oral side effects of bis-phosphonates, which are a family of drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. We keenly await the results of her trial.

The Andrew Vern-Barnett Oral Presentation Award was given by Andrew himself. Dr Vern-Barnett was the founder of the WCOH Special Care Unit. The following was a speech to introduce Andrew to those not familiar with his work by his dear friend and colleague, Dr David Buckley.

"…Andy graduated BDS from the University of Sydney in 1944 and went on to be awarded an MDS in 1955 and Doctor of Dental Science in 1959. Professionally he has contributed so much, like his grandfather, he served on the Dental Board of New South Wales and he was also President of the State Branch of the ADA in 1975. Indeed, it was in this latter role as ADA President that I first had the pleasure of meeting Andy – some 30 years ago…