2021 award recipients

At the conclusion of last year, we once again celebrated members of our ADA community who are making a difference - to the profession, or even to the world. We reach out for nominations every year to recognise the contributions of those oral health professionals who act as mentors, role models and leaders in their field. In the past, our winners have included volunteers, key research contributors and those dedicated to further innovation and education.

In presenting the 2021 ADA Awards and choosing from a field of impressive nominees, the ADA was proud to congratulate the following individuals.

Distinguished Service Award

Any dentist who has rendered long and distinguished service to the ADA or to dentistry at a national level.

Dr Mark Bowman

Dr Mark Bowman has rendered a long and distinguished service to the Australian Dental Association (ADA).  He commenced his dental association involvement in 2002 being appointed to the ADA Victorian Branch Finance and Audit Committee.  Dr Bowman continues to serve on numerous Committees; was Victorian Branch President (2007-08) and served on ADA Federal Council.  His commitment to members of the dental profession has extended beyond his voluntary roles into Government consulting and Dental School clinical teaching.  Dr Bowman has served the Federal Government as a consultant dental advisor; dedicated 20+years to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Department of Health and has been a major contributor to the Child Dental Benefits Scheme and Cleft Palate program.  He still serves as a clinical teacher and organiser at the University of Melbourne. Dr Bowman is a worthy recipient of the ADA Distinguished Service Award.

Conjoint Associate Professor Deborah Cockrell AM

Conjoint Associate Professor Deborah Cockrell AM is an overseas trained Oral Surgeon and has a PhD in dental education.  She is an experienced national and international specialist dental practitioner with over 30 years of leadership experience, working in a wide range of settings including academia, outreach services, public and private practice.  Conjoint A/Prof Cockrell has developed and delivered a range of education programs, served on the ADANSW Council from 2001-2016 and was the first female ADA NSW Branch President from 2013-2015. Deb is Australasia’s representative on the International Board of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. She is currently employed as a Professional Officer/Authorised Person with the Dental Council of NSW and is both a Director and Chair of the Accreditation Committee at the Australian Dental Council. She maintains her research interest as Director (Oral Health) for the Centre for Education and Research on Ageing (CERA), at Concord Repatriation and General Hospital. Conjoint A/Prof Cockrell is a worthy recipient of the ADA Distinguished Service Award.

Dr David Hallett

Dr David Hallett has been a stalwart of the dental industry for over 30 years. His contribution at both a state and federal level has been significant. He has served as a Branch Councillor and was Branch President from 2012 – 2013 and is the current CEO of the ADA WA Branch. An Honorary ADAWA Life membership was bestowed upon Dr Hallet for his service.  Dr Hallett’s commitment to the profession is highly regarded. He is actively involved with the ADA membership providing professional support and guidance. Dr Hallett is a worthy recipient of the ADA Distinguished Service Award.

Dr Angela Pierce

Dr Angela Pierce has made a significant contribution to the Australian Dental Association at both a Branch and Federal level.  Angela served as a Branch Councillor for 12 years; Branch President from 2011 – 2012  Branch Vice-President in 2014 and was an ADA Federal Councillor for 7 years.  Dr Pierce also served on the ADA Constitution and Policy Committee for 7 years and was a member of the ADJ Editorial Board for 3 years.  Dr Pierce is currently working in both private dental practice and in her law firm.  She also sits on the Professional Services Review for the Australian Government Department of Health in Canberra.  Dr Pierce is a worthy recipient of the ADA Distinguished Service Award.

Valuable Service Award

Any person who has rendered a valuable service to the ADA or to dentistry at a national level.

Dr David Butler
Dr David Butler’s career spans across many decades and multiple states in Australia ,in both the private, public and statutory fields . During Dr Butler’s career he has always provided equitable care to some of Australia’s most vulnerable patients.  He has been instrumental in transitioning to a service delivery model, reflecting the importance and value of family focused preventative care. This model combined includes the patients` overall health and well-being, which is always being managed and monitored in parallel with their oral health. This approach to oral health is delivered by engaging the entire oral health team , along with our medical and allied health colleagues. He has also helped ensure that the Victorian public service,  through Chairing the necessary committees , had access to appropriate, high-quality materials and equipment at all times, including working with the Smile Squad Program in Victoria to obtain a range of “state of the art” handpieces in the current and ongoing pandemic environment . Outside of his clinical expertise, David has been an invaluable mentor to many of the clinicians at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne , and has helped integrate many teams and departments, by setting up clinical groups spanning across both primary and specialist care.  During the pandemic, David has not only helped ensure that clinicians are practicing safely and with support, but also worked hard to assist dental students to work in a range of clinics and programs as much as possible to ensure their graduation proceeded. Dr Butler is a worthy recipient of the ADA Valuable Service Award.

Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen
Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen is one of the young champions of dentistry. Dr Phoon Nguyen’s service to dentistry has been exemplary.  Dr Phoon Nguyen is also co-chair of the Dental Council for the Australasian Sleep Association representing dentistry in sleep medicine, and very active within the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, as WA Secretary, Editor of the College News, Examiner and on the Board of Studies (Oral Medicine). Notwithstanding she has served ADAWA for many years which includes being the previous Vice President. Dr Phoon Nguyen is involved in many interdisciplinary academic groups both nationally and internationally. In addition, she serves as Treasurer of IADR (Perth Region), President of Women in Dentistry WA and Vice President of the Dental Specialist Society of WA. Amanda gives her time to a number of voluntary groups including being Directors of the Jaye Radisich Foundation and Uniting Smiles, and volunteers with Healing Smiles, at ADHF Dental Rescue Days and as the bear mascot at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH). She regularly fundraises for various charities. Dr Nguyen is adjunct senior lecturer and actively involved in teaching and research in oral medicine at UWA Dental School. She is a consultant at dental department at PCH and has been awarded three Fellowships for her contributions to dentistry. Dr Phoon Nguyen is a most worthy recipient of the ADA Valuable Service Award.

Professor Janet Wallace
Professor Janet Wallace, a registered OHT, is an outstanding contributor through her advocacy and actions to improve the oral health care of people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities. Prof Wallace’s PhD studies resulted in her developing the Senior Smiles program and her numerous publications in this field have established her as a National and International leader in this field. Prof Wallace was a witness at the recent Royal Commission and her recommendations were included in the final report. She has an esteemed academic career record and has recently been appointed as Professor of Oral Health at the University of Sydney after several years as Head of Discipline at the University of Newcastle. Janet has also served the dental community through appointments to the Dental Council of NSW and the Accreditation Committee of the Dental Council of NZ and the AHPRA Registration and Compliance Committee. Prof Wallace is a most worthy recipient of the ADA Valuable Service Award.

Dr Susan Wise
Dr Susan Wise has been an avid contributor to the profession.  She was invaluable in growing the profile of Pierre Fauchard Academy in Australia during her time as National Secretary.  Dr Wise has served on numerous committees.  She was President of both the ADA Victoria Branch and Australian Society of Periodontology Victorian Branch, is the current Vice-President of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and Co-Chairs of the Australian Dental Health Foundation Victoria Committee.  Dr Wise demonstrated her ability as a leader in these roles, someone who garners support through proactivity.  Dr Wise not only devotes time to her profession and specialty but has also been involved with the Korean Adoption Families since 2009 and is the Immediate Past President of this association. Dr Wise’s has the ability to multi-task and juggle competing priorities in running a practice and performing professional leadership responsibilities.  She leads by example and is an amazing mentor to young women in the profession. Dr Wise is a most worthy recipient of the ADA Valuable Service Award.

Outstanding Young Dentist

The name of a  young member (under 35 years old) who has made a significant contribution to the Australian Dental Association and/or dentistry and the community at a national level by excelling in their career, reflecting positively on the dental profession and has acted as an ambassador for the profession.

Dr Linton Nash

Dr Linton Nash completed his Undergraduate Dental Program, a Masters in Orthodontics and Membership in Orthodontics RCSEd. He serves the profession through his active participation as a member of the Australian Dental Association, serving on the Victorian Branch Constitution and Policy Committee, Recent Graduate Committee, and the Victorian Branch Council. Dr Nash’s contribution as a member of the Branch Council has been significant, taking a leading role in technology, especially cybersecurity. Dr Nash served in the Army Reserves and now works in private practice and at the Monash Medical Center Cleft Lip and Palate Unit and regularly provides lectures for his colleagues. Dr Nash is committed to philanthropic services and is a valuable member of the Rotary Australia Vietnam Dental Health Project and Give-a-Smile program. Dr Nash completed the Leadership Victoria Health Sector Leadership Program in 2018 and demonstrated his leadership skills by being a great mentor and ambassador for the profession.