The first ever champion of oral health advocacy will be announced in Dental Health Services Victoria’s Public Oral Health Awards this year.
The annual Public Oral Health Awards, now in their fourth year, honour the achievements of those who have gone above and beyond to improve Victoria’s oral health and the public dental sector in the state.
CEO of Dental Health Services Victoria, Dr Deborah Cole, said the Community Oral Health Champion was introduced to recognise that there are advocates of good oral health working just as hard outside the public dental sector as those within.
“The staff within the public dental sector do not work alone to promote good oral health for Victorians,” Dr Cole said.
“They partner with volunteers and staff from other disciplines and sectors -such as maternal and child health nurses and early childhood educators - to help spread knowledge of good oral health practices and share healthy tips within their circles,” Dr Cole said.
Chair of the DHSV Community Advisory Committee, Jennifer Theisinger said the Community Oral Health Champion of the Year will be awarded to an individual who shows the highest level of excellence in their volunteer or community work in the public dental sector.
“Their work helps community members to learn about the importance of oral health or to access vital services that they may not have otherwise, and in other settings than just the dental clinic,” Ms Theisinger said. “We need your help to nominate them so we can honour an extraordinary community champion with the recognition they deserve,” she said.
Nominations are now open for the Community Oral Health Champion and the three other award categories for 2014:
- Star of Public Dentistry
- Oral Health Project of the Year
- Public Dental Clinic of the Year
