Stars of Public Oral Health Award shine in annual celebration

Victoria’s best and brightest dental professionals were honoured with Public Oral Health Awards last night for their care and commitment to public dental services.

The Awards, presented by Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV), recognise public oral health professionals, volunteers and organisations that go above and beyond to improve the health outcomes of those most in need of dental treatment.

The winners of the 2018 Public Oral Health Awards are:

Star of Public Dentistry – Dr Felicia Valianatos, Link Health and Community

Oral Health Project of the Year – Silver Diamine Fluoride project, DHSV with IPC Health and DPV Health

Clinic of the Year – Bendigo Health

Community Oral Health Champion – Jacinta Masters, Echuca Regional Health Service

DHSV CEO Dr Deborah Cole said the Award nominations across all four categories highlighted the abundance of outstanding projects, clinics and staff in the Victorian public dental sector.

“Our nominees were of an exceptional calibre and I am honoured to be working alongside inspiring people who are doing great things for public health in Victoria,” said Dr Cole.

“It wasn’t easy for the judges to come to a final decision, as the public dental sector is staffed with dedicated professionals who want to take oral health promotion and care to the next level. It is great to see other members of the community, not necessarily clinicians, doing outstanding work to promote the importance of oral health too,” she said.

The Star of Public Dentistry winner, Dr Felicia Valianatos, applauded the talents of staff within the public oral health sector.

“We are in a galaxy of stars and are all stars in our own way. Thank you for recognising my contribution,” Dr Valianatos said.