Policy Statement 7.1 -International Representation

Position Summary

The Australian Dental Association should continue to participate in international dental events and organisations to be abreast of and influence international issues and trends including actions at an international level to promote effective lobbying on sustainable packaging, materials, and dental equipment.

 

1. Background

1.1. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) is an active member of FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and is entitled to send to the FDI World Dental Parliament three delegates and two alternative delegates.

1.2. The ADA has forged collaborative and collegial relationships with FDI member countries through mutual respect of longstanding ADA member delegation with knowledge of the historical and political developments during many years of membership.

1.3. In 2023, the ADA hosted the FDI World Dental Congress in Sydney as the largest dental congress in history within the Southern hemisphere.

1.4. Membership of FDI benefits members by:

• ensuring alignment of ADA and international policy,
• reviewing and engaging international leading speakers for CPD in Australia,
• positioning the ADA as a provider of international conferences and professional development for the profession worldwide,
• interacting with international dental leaders to be abreast of issues such as workforce, political, and IPC that may impact ADA members.

 

1.5. After the FDI World Dental Congress held in Perth in 2009, the ADA established the Perth Group, consisting of following invited FDI members:

• American Dental Association (AmDA),
• Australian Dental Association (ADA)
• British Dental Association (BDA)
• Canadian Dental Association (CDA)
• Japan Dental Association (JDA)
• Korean Dental Association (KDA) and
• New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA)

 

All Perth Group members have continued to actively partake in this informal group as it provides an excellent forum for the participating nations to learn in detail from each other.

Suggestions to increase membership with European nations has not at this stage been adopted.

1.6. The ADA has held formal and informal meetings with the Asia Pacific Dental Federation/Asia Pacific Regional Organisation (APDF/APRO). ADPF/APRO is a regional organisation of the parent body, FDI and provides collaboration and education in the interests of FDI members in the Asia Pacific geographic area.

1.7. The ADA, JDA, and NZDA held formal and informal meetings as the Asia Pacific Alliance (APA). The Alliance was formed as a result of the APA associations resigning from the ADPF/APRO in 2006 due to concerns regarding the governance of the organisation and the cost of providing representation at ADPF/APRO Council and Delegate meetings and other events. Resolution of concerns through alignment of the ADPF/APRO constitution and FDI constitution in 2023 resulted in the dissolution of the APA to rejoin as one regional organisation. The collegiality and cooperation built from the APA continues through informal meetings with alignment of values and mutual respect of the associations within the APA.

1.8. The ADA, along with other key nations, resigned from the Commonwealth Dental Association in 2016.

1.9. The ADA used to meet in person biennially with the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA).

1.10. Currently the Federal President and CEO are extended invitations to attend the annual NZDA Conference and the NZDA President and CEO are invited to Australian Dental Congresses. Also, the NZDA President is elected an Honorary Member of the ADA for two years and the ADA President an Honorary Member of the NZDA for usually two years.

1.11. Australian delegates attend the annual meeting of the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 106 (Dentistry) (ISO/TC106) as experts in the development of new dental standards and the revision of existing dental standards. Given that international standards will be replicated or adopted in Australia by organisations such as TGA and other bodies, this involvement is essential to ensure appropriate regulation of devices and materials in Australia.

1.12. FDI has recently had a strong focus and issued statements on sustainability.

 

2. Position

2.1. The ADA should continue to build long term relationships internationally to ensure Australia continues to be well regarded and that the ADA’s voice is heard at the highest levels.

2.2. The ADA should continue to participate in international dental events and with organisations to be abreast of and influence international issues and trends. This includes actions at an international level to promote effective lobbying on sustainable packaging, materials, and dental equipment.

FDI

2.3. The ADA should be a member of FDI.

2.4. The usual delegation to the FDI World Dental Parliament should be: 

• The Federal President as a delegate and delegation leader
• An ADA member of good standing as nominated by the ADA Nomination & Remuneration Committee.
• The Chair of Constitution and Policy Committee as a delegate
• The Chief Executive Officer as an alternate delegate and the National Liaison Officer

 

2.5. Members who, after nomination by ADA, have been successfully elected to positions within the FDI, and who are entitled to payment of economy class travel by FDI, may be reimbursed by ADA the balance occasioned by overseas travel in business class.

2.6. The ADA should provide secretariat support for the Perth Group.

2.7. The ADA should be a member of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation/Asia Pacific Regional Organisation (APDF/APRO).

NZDA

2.8. The Federal Executive should meet via electronic communication biennially with the NZDA.

2.9. The President and CEO should attend the NZDA annual conference.

ISO/TC106

2.10. ADA members of any Australian delegation attending ISO/TC106 should be selectively supported.

OTHER INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

2.11. On a case-by-case basis the ADA may attend other international events, forums and so on where the issues and outcomes may influence dentistry in Australia.