 "Australian Dental Industry Association")
Posted in Industry News
Queenslanders Need Action on Retrospective Dental Tax
 "Queenslanders Need Action on Retrospective Dental Tax")
Queenslanders looking for dental treatment are still facing price rises from the retrospective application of payroll tax to dental services.
Saddled with huge, backdated liabilities after the state revenue office announced the tax change last year, dentists warn their only options are to pass on price hikes to their patients or close altogether.
With the Queensland election under way, the Australian Dental Industry Association is calling on politicians to act now, and give Queenslanders relief from price rises.
Chief Executive Officer, Kym De Britt has highlighted the unfairness of the current situation.
“There’s a new ruling that has never been tested and an amnesty for GPs, but dentists get left with paying the new tax back-dated to 2018” Mr De Britt said. “Why dentists face this tax when GPs don’t is inexplicable. No one has given us a reason.”
Mr De Britt said “Without protection from backdated taxes, the cost of dentistry will force many Queenslanders to make heartbreaking choices during a cost-of-living crisis that was hitting hardest in Australia’s remote and regional communities.”
The ADIA has written to both the Queensland Government and Queensland Opposition asking them to grant dentists a tax amnesty, similar to one already granted to general practitioners, to avert a regional crisis that would push more patients into the already stretched public health system.
“Time is running out for Queensland dental clinics. Without immediate action, the risk of these taxes will force clinics to the wall” Mr De Britt said.
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaFeatured News |
ADIA CEO Update: September 2024 Advocacy Update
 "ADIA CEO Update: September 2024 Advocacy Update")
The ADIA technical team have been actively engaged in several key projects with the TGA in the past few months. There are multiple areas where the TGA is seeking feedback from industry to ensure that the changes and developments they are making are fit-for-purpose and avoid unintended consequences. ADIA relies on member feedback to ensure that the submissions we make cover all aspects of concern, so please join us at the next Technical Forum! |
The Australian Government recently announced a significant program of reform to address the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) across multiple sectors including healthcare. The TGA have responsibility for conducting a review of the existing regulatory legislation of therapeutic goods involving AI, to identify gaps and opportunities and make recommendations for reform. Click here to read more about how the TGA regulates AI Medical Devices. Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) The TGA has formed a Technical Reference Group for SaMD and AI. Information about the group and its membership is available here. Boundary products ADIA made a submission to the TGA on Boundary Products on 6 August 2024. Most boundary products from the dental industry (toothpastes and dentifrices) can be readily categorised as Medicines or Medical Devices by the principal intended action. ADIA has recommended that the Boundary Product category for toothpastes and dentifrices is not required. Following this recent consultation, TGA is holding workshops to engage with stakeholders. If you have Boundary Products and are concerned about this consultation, please contact ADIA at advocacy@adia.org.au to discuss any issues. Exempt Medical Devices and Other Therapeutic Goods The TGA is proposing further changes to the regulation of Exempt Medical Devices (EMDs) and Other Therapeutic Goods (OTGs) that have significant implications for the dental industry. The proposals include potential notification, publication of information and/or provision of samples to the TGA for EMDs and OTGs. Introduction of this regulation would impose significant administrative and financial burdens on the sponsors of these types of products. On 7 June 2024, ADIA made a strong submission, arguing that for EMDs manufactured in Australia at the direction of Ahpra-registered health practitioners using raw materials that are included in the ARTG, the proposed regulations would duplicate existing frameworks and lead to significant unintended consequences, including increased costs and reduced access to EMDs for consumers. The consultation process is ongoing and ADIA will continue to advocate against these changes. This issue will be discussed in detail at the September Technical Forum. 3G network switch off The cut-off date for Telstra and Optus to switch off their 3G networks has been extended to 28 October 2024. If you manufacture or supply medical devices or other products that communicate via 3G you need to consider the impacts on users and take steps to notify customers and mitigate any risks. See the updated webpage. TGA Consultation | Medical Devices - Essential Principles Consultation The TGA is consulting on proposed changes to the Australian Essential Principles for Safety and Performance of medical devices, to align with changes being implemented in the Europe (GSPR). Please follow these links for further information and the consultation paper. Deadlines for comment: For inclusion in the ADIA submission send feedback to advocacy@adia.com.au by 5pm Wednesday 9 October 2024 or send feedback directly to the TGA by Wednesday 16 October 2024. New and updated Information from the TGA
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| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaCEO Updates |
Nominations for the ADIA Board Elections are now open
 "Nominations for the ADIA Board Elections are now open")
On behalf of the ADIA Board, I am calling for nominations to the Board of the ADIA from appropriately credentialed individuals to serve as a Director for a two-year term, commencing after the 2024 AGM in November.
To nominate for the election, please forward a recent photo, short bio, and a paragraph of no more than 100 words outlining your reasons for wanting to support the dental industry as an ADIA Director by COB Monday, 27 August 2024.
Nominations are to be emailed to Kym De Britt at ceo@adia.org.au.
Voting for the two Director positions will be held between 29 August and 12 September 2024.
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaFeatured News |
The Australian Oral Health Policy Institute has a new home
 "The Australian Oral Health Policy Institute has a new home")
ADIA is a key member of the Australian Oral Health Policy Institute or AOHPI for short!
The Institute brings together partner organisations to develop independent, authoritative and inclusive oral health policy aimed at driving improvements in oral health in Australia. The key areas of oral health policy development are Children and Older Australians. AOHPI also makes submissions to Government in these focus areas and is currently working on a submission to the Department of Health and Aged Care, showing how digital innovations in dentistry can be used to facilitate better access to oral healthcare.
The AOHPI website has just been launched with the intent of housing the suite of policies as they are developed. Visit AOHPI to see what we’ve been up to.
If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to contact AOHPI via the contact form on the website.
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaFeatured News |
ADIA CEO Update: August 2024 Advocacy Update
 "ADIA CEO Update: August 2024 Advocacy Update")
ADIA continues to represent members at a national level. Along with ongoing work with the TGA and the Parliamentary Friends of the Dental Industry group, ADIA also regularly meets with department staff and Ministerial Advisors.
ADIA meets with Federal Ministers
Earlier this month ADIA Director of Policy & Education, Dr Sarah Raphael met with Federal Ministers at the 2024 Federal Labor Business Exchange in Sydney.
This event provides important opportunities for one-on-one meetings to discuss ADIA's major advocacy platforms with Ministers and attend keynote addresses from the Prime Minister, Hon. Anthony Albanese MP and Treasurer, Hon. Jim Chalmers.
Discussions are aimed at maintaining important parliamentary relationships to ensure businesses in the dental sector can thrive and the oral health profession is supported to improve the oral health of our community.
During the forum, Dr Raphael met with the following Ministers:
Hon. Mark Butler MP (Minister for Health & Aged Care) on plans for oral health reform and the new oral health plan. Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) promotion to increase the awareness for eligible families was also discussed.
Hon. Julie Collins MP (Minister for Small Business; Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) on pressures on small business with high freight costs and supply chain delays along with State payroll tax implications on dental service organisations.
Senator the Hon. Tim Ayres (Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia; Assistant Minister for Trade) on information for members about industry grants such as the Industry Growth Program and National Reconstruction Fund.
Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP (Minister for Social Services) on the much needed promotion of the CDBS to eligible families.
Hon. Emma McBride MP (Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention; Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health) on the current state of the oral health workforce in rural and regional Australia and the need for incentives to attract dental practitioners to these regions.
Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP (Minister for early Childhood Education; Minister for Youth) on strategies to partner with early childhood and youth education to promote the CDBS.
Senator the Hon. Anthony Chisholm (Assistant Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) on strategies to partner with the Education Sector to promote the CDBS.
Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP (Assistant Minister for Immigration) on the promotion of the CDBS within his electorate of Kingsford Smith.
Dr Gordon Reid MP on the connections between oral health and general health and the promotion of the CDBS within his electorate of Robertson.
Hon. Anika Wells MP (Minister for Aged Care; Minister for Sport) on the need for aged care reforms to include oral healthcare for Older Australians.
If you would like any more information or have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to do so by email.
| Posted in:Industry NewsNews & MediaCEO Updates |
