Featuring speakers:

• Dr Jessie Cummins
  • Antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of endocarditis: when to prescribe and why?

•  Dr Gabrielle Smart
  • Supporting and providing care for patients with autism spectrum disorder in your practice.

• Andrew Clarkson
  • Unlocking the TMJ mystery

• Tessa Smith 
  • The Practical Application of Myofunctional Therapy from a Dental Perspective

• Helen Burfield
  • Hand and Upper Limb Conditions affecting Dental Hygienists :Prevention and Ergonomics.

• Marcy Patsanza-Mkonto and Olivia
  • The need to incorporate trauma informed care in dental practice
      

CPD Hours: 6 hours Scientific

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Topics:

Antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of endocarditis: when to prescribe and why? - Dr Jessie Cummins

We all encounter patients with cardiac conditions that require our judgment as to their risk for developing infective endocarditis and if antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated. However, the risk of infective endocarditis for some scenarios are easier to determine than others.

This presentation will outline the pathophysiology of infective endocarditis and how specific cardiac conditions predispose patients to this infection. Some contradiction exists between the guidelines from different authoritative bodies globally. This presentation will also discuss the recent updates to the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines regarding antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of infective endocarditis.

Proposed learning objectives:

• Develop an understanding of infective endocarditis and why oral health and dental treatment are predisposing factors.
• Identify patients who are at risk of infective endocarditis and why.
• Understand and adhere to relevant Guidelines for the prevention of infective endocarditis.
• Antibiotic stewardship in the context of infective endocarditis.

Supporting and providing care for patients with autism spectrum disorder in your practice - Dr Gabrielle Smart

Supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder, whether adults or children, requires a tailored approach that addresses their individual needs.

Dr Gabrielle Smart a specialist paediatric dentist will walk you through her clinical approach and how she applies this to her patients with autism spectrum disorders. She will share the treatment planning of a handful of cases that she has completed in recent months and share with you what communication and treatment strategies were implemented and helped with each case depending on patient age, coping and the extent of treatment required.

Learning objectives

• Update on definitions and some common characteristics of patients with an autism spectrum disorder
• Special management techniques to support such patients in clinical setting and at home (OHI, OH aids)
• Effective communication with the patient and parent/ carer
• What resources are available for hygienists and patients

Unlocking the TMJ mystery - Andrew Clarkson

A presentation aimed at improving your understanding of the causes and mechanisms of TMJ dysfunction and muscular orofacial pain, clinical reasoning, practical assessment techniques, strategies to initiate treatment and when to refer.

In this one hour presentation, TMJ physiotherapist Andrew Clarkson will outine the more common presentations of TMJ dysfunction and muscular orofacial pain and headache. This will breakdown the key presenting symptoms and relate them to causative mechanisms. In order to become more specific in your assessment, Andrew will explain the key role of asking the right questions, using clinical reasoning skills and how this informs your physical examination and decision making. With a clearer diagnosis and causative mechanisms, this gives the therapist direction in what to say and how to explain the condition. This then informs the first steps of treatment.

Learning objectives:

1. Recognising the classical signs of TMJ dysfunction and muscular orofacial pain.
2. Determining the key questions to ask and how to interpret them.
3. Learning how to examine for TMJ signs and how to interpret these signs.
4. How to explain TMD to patients
5. Understanding what are appropriate first-step interventions.
6. When to refer and who to refer to.

Hand and Upper Limb Conditions affecting Dental Hygienists: Prevention and Ergonomics - Helen Burfield

Dental Hygienists fall into a category of workers who have challenging work conditions when it comes to their expected work position. This includes time spent in those positions and repetitive use of their hands, wrists and arms. There is also a degree of static posture challenges when it comes to their neck and shoulders.

I would like to educate and inform future Hygienists as well as those currently working in the field in ways of preventing, recognizing and treating any niggles before they become a bigger issue so they have a long and hopefully pain-free career!

Some of the conditions discussed will be Neck postures and conditions, Shoulder posture and stabilizing, elbow and wrist conditions to be aware of eg Extensor/ flexor tendinosis (tennis elbow/ golfers elbow). Wrist conditions such as De Quervians tenosynovitis. Finger conditions such as trigger fingers and tenosynovitis.

Learning objectives:

• Becoming aware of signs of soft tissue injuries or conditions
• Learning how to change postures and tasks to help alleviate or prevent further issues.
• Treatment for those conditions

The need to incorporate trauma informed care in dental practice - Marcy Patsanza-Mkonto

Co-presenting with a professional peer Olivia, a women’s safety advocate with a lived experience of domestic violence

This presentation is a collaborative exploration between a Dental Hygienist with a background and interest in psychology and a resilient individual with lived experience of domestic violence. The presentation will take the form of a dynamic discussion between the duo, as they use personal narratives and professional insights to highlight the complex relationship between trauma, mental health, and dental care, specifically in the context of domestic violence.

Attendees will hear firsthand about the challenges and barriers faced in accessing dental care following facial trauma due to domestic violence. The dental hygienist will draw on her dual professional background to explore lessons learnt from the patient's perspective, advocating the need for trauma-informed dental care practices. This session aims to inspire dental professionals to adopt a compassionate and supportive approach, recognising the crucial role that holistic dental care plays in the healing journey of individuals who have experienced trauma.

Learning objectives

• impacts of trauma on mental health and dental health, particularly in the context of domestic violence
• domestic violence prevalence challenges faced by individuals in accessing and navigating dental care after experiencing facial trauma
• identifying barriers individuals may have in disclosing experiences of domestic abuse to the dental practitioner
• exploring techniques to provide trauma informed dental care specifically to people who may be experiencing/have experienced trauma such as domestic violence
• referral pathways and continuing care for individuals who may be experiencing/have experienced trauma such as domestic violence

Both speakers are excited about striving to create a healthcare environment that is compassionate, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all patients.

The Practical Application of Myofunctional Therapy from a Dental Perspective - Tessa Smith

Oro-myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a specialized form of therapy aimed at correcting abnormal or dysfunctional patterns of the muscles in and around the mouth. These patterns are known as oral myofunctional disorders (OMDs), and can affect various functions such as breathing, swallowing, speech, and facial development.

Learning outcomes:

• A brief overview of Oro-myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) and their clinical presentation
• Oro-myofunctional Therapy and its place in multidisciplinary care
• Looking at a range of clinical applications and how therapy has impacted patient outcomes
  
  

Speaker Biographies

Dr Jessie Cummins

Dentist

Jessie is a final year registrar in Special Needs Dentistry through the University of Adelaide. She completed her undergraduate and honours degrees at the James Cook University and was later appointed as a Clinical Lecturer. The research components of her undergraduate and honours degrees were focused on infective endocarditis from a dental perspective.

In 2020 she published a systematic review that assessed dentists’ and dental students’ knowledge and compliance with respect to relevant guidelines for prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of infective endocarditis.

Prior to her specialist training, she worked in Tasmania at the Special Care Dental Unit and supervised final dental year students from across Australia.

Currently, she cares for patients with a wide range of special needs at the Adelaide Dental Hospital, metropolitan and remote community clinics. Jessie is passionate about caring for patients with medical complexities or with varying disabilities.  

Dr Gabrielle Smart

Paediatric Dentist

Dr Gabrielle Smart completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery with a concurrent Bachelor of Applied Science in Dentistry (Honours) at the University of Adelaide in 2010. She has since completed a Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry (Paediatric Dentistry), also at the University of Adelaide in 2015. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in both General and Specialist Dental Practice.

Dr Smart has worked at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital as a Consultant Paediatric Dentist until mid 2023 and have now taken on the dream of my own practice; Hills and Country Paediatric Dentistry.

Andrew Clarkson

Physiotherapist

Andrew Clarkson is an experienced Adelaide physiotherapist. With a background in sports and orthopaedic care over 35 years, Andrew has extensive experience in Australian football, netball, hockey and beach volleyball at elite levels,  Andrew gradually moved into managing TMJ conditions 15 years ago, with it now making up to 90 percent of his work.

Andrew is a titled APA Sports, Exercise and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. He is a passionate believer in working within a muti-disciplinary treatment structure. This comes from his sports medicine days, but it is just as important in managing TMD, respecting the role that practitioners with different skills bring to the treatment model.  Andrew enjoys teaching and learning from other health professionals in the area of orofacial pain. He is a national committee member of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Orofacial Pain.

Andrew works in private physio practice in Adelaide and in the south-eastern suburb of Highgate.

Helen Burford

Hand and Upper Limb Physiotherapist

Helen Burfield is a Hand and Upper Limb Physiotherapist with nearly 40 years of experience
as physiotherapist and upper limb therapist.

She trained as a physiotherapist in Adelaide and completed a post graduate qualification in Upper limb and hand rehabilitation from Curtin University in Perth.

She is an Accredited Hand Therapist with the Australian Hand Therapy Association and has been President of the AHTA as well as served on the national committee in a number of roles.

She has been a partner and owner of her own private practice for 28 years. Adelaide Sports Physiotherapy and now Adelaide Hand and Upper Limb Physiotherapy.

She also works at Wakefield Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic as a Hand and upper limb Physiotherapist.

Marcy Patsanza-Mkonto

Dental Hygienist

Marcy is a Dental Hygienist whose desire to understand her patients more holistically led her to pursue a degree in psychology. This educational journey has provided her some insights into mental health challenges and human behaviour. In addition to her work as a dental hygienist, Marcy serves as a Support Facilitator for young people exiting the care system, assisting them to transition to independence.

She has committed her career to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals in her current job and previously in her role with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. With a unique blend of expertise in dental hygiene and psychology, Marcy has positioned herself as an advocate in the field of trauma-informed care, particularly in addressing the intersection of mental health and dental health.

She understands that dental practitioners are often the first point of contact for individuals who have experienced trauma, and she advocates for a compassionate, informed approach to their treatment.

Olivia

Olivia is a resilient and driven individual who has transformed her personal journey of overcoming domestic violence into a powerful force for change. Olivia has emerged as a passionate advocate for women's safety and empowerment. Driven by a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to creating positive change, Olivia is using speaking engagements as a platform to raise awareness of the impacts of domestic violence.

Tessa Smith

Oral Health Therapist/Orofacial myologist

Tess is an Oral Health Therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience working in the dental industry. She continues to work in private dental practice treating children and adults. With experience and training in general and orthodontic dental practice she has valuable insight and experience into how myofunctional therapy and dentistry can combine for powerful results. 

Over the years she has developed a unique approach through ongoing and extensive education both nationally and internationally. Tess is dedicated to lifting the profile of myofunctional therapy in the local community and has a strong focus on education. She is the current president of the Australian Association of Orofacial Myology. 

Her proudest moments are working with children to address functional problems that contribute to facial growth changes. Tess is the first in Adelaide to operate an independent Myofunctional Therapy clinic and has a special interest in both airway health for children and TMD/Orofacial Pain. She routinely collaborates with dentists, specialists and health professionals to provide an integrative approach to addressing client issues.

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