Public Oral Health Award winners headline annual celebration

Dental Health Services Victoria revealed the winners of the 2017 Public Oral Health Awards (POHA) at the DHSV AGM at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne last night.

The Awards, now in their eighth year, recognise public oral health professionals, volunteers and organisations that go above and beyond to improve the health outcomes of the Victorian community.

DHSV received nominations across four categories demonstrating the abundance of talent in the public oral health sector.

The winners of the 2017 Public Oral Health Awards are:

Star of public dentistry

Anne Lennard, Healthy Bite Dental

Oral health project of the year

Wide Smiles Oral Health Program, Barwon Health and Colac Area Health

Public dental clinic of the year

Monash Health

Community oral health champion

Stacey Brown, Yappera Children’s Service

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DHSV CEO Dr Deborah Cole acknowledged the outstanding contribution made by our winners.

“We are proud to recognise those individuals and organisations striving above and beyond to achieve better oral health in the community. Our award winners have shown outstanding commitment to improving health outcomes and a better patient experience.”

The event also saw DHSV launch the 2017 Oral Health for Better Health magazine, with the announcement that the hippopotamuses of Zoos Victoria are our 2018 Smiles of the Year.

The presentation of the Biggest Little Smiles winner went to Isabelle Hutchinson from Ballarat. This competition allowed children to engage with the important messages of ‘Eat Well’, ‘Drink Well’, and ‘Clean Well’ in a photo entry format.