About the ACT Dental Board
The ACT Dental Board (the Board) is established by section 24 of the Health Professionals Act 2004 (the Act).
It is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, which has its powers prescribed by the Act. The ACT Dental Board is comprised of five registered dentists, one registered dental hygienist,one registered dental therapist.two non-registrable community representatives,one of whom is a legal practitioner.
The President and five members are appointed by the ACT Minister for Health and three are elected.
Aims
The principle aim of the Board is to protect the public and as such, the Board is responsible for ensuring that only persons who are eligible and hold appropriate qualifications are registered as dentists, dental specialists, dental hygienists and dental therapists in the ACT. Once registered, those persons practise dental care within the requirements of the Health Professionals Act 2004, and according to accepted standards of professional conduct.
The Board seeks to assure itself that applicants for registration are familiar with the ACT legislation and standards of practice relating to dental care.
Registrants should be familiar, in particular, with the Schedule 6 in the Health Professionals Regulation 2004 and the Standards Statements accessible via:
Standards Statement
The Board is also responsible for the consideration of complaints against registered dentists, dental specialists, dental hygienists and dental therapists, and general monitoring of the conduct of the profession in the ACT. The Act empowers the Board to take disciplinary action against registrants who may be in breach of certain provisions of the Act. The Act requires that the Board conduct a formal professional or personal assessment panel assessment or Tribunal Inquiry before imposing any disciplinary measures, such as: cautioning or reprimanding the registrant, suspension or cancellation of registration, ordering that the registrant undergo medical or psychiatric treatment or counselling, or imposing conditions on the registration of the registrant as considered appropriate by the Board.
There are provisions under the ACT which allow for the registrant to make an application to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for a review of the Boards decisions.
The Board is committed to the improvement and development of customer service, and aims to continue to provide relevant, accurate, and timely advice and assistance to the public and registrants on matters relevant to the profession. The Board aims to raise the profile of the Board for the benefit of the profession and the public, through the provision of regular newsletters and a designated website.
Board meetings
The Board meets on the third Wednesday of every month (except January) for approximately 2-3 hours.
Board membership
President
Dr Peter Walmsley (Appointed)
Deputy President
Dr Desmond Storey (Appointed)
Members
Mr Stephen Herrick (Appointed)
Mr Ted Whitehead (Appointed)
Ms Mary Beare (Appointed)
Ms Lyn Keyworth (dental therapist/appointed)
Dr Murray Thomas (Elected)
Dr Carmello Bonanno (Elected)
Vacant (Elected)
Manager
Mr Alan Skelton
Registrar
Mr David Bale
The terms of office for members is no longer than four years.
Committees
The Board has a policy development sub committee, and a complaints officer. Members acting in these capacities provide reports and recommendations to the Board as required.
