Recalling his days as a dental student at the University of Western Australia, Dr Simon Shanahan admits that he and his classmates shuddered at the mention of the word “dental board”.
“In dental school, we always thought that the dental board was like a scary monster, scrutinizing our every move,” said Dr Shanahan, now president of the Dental Board of Australia (DBA), in Perth. “But this is actually a misunderstanding, and now we need to correct this wrong impression.”
Dr Shanahan officially took over as president of the Dental Board in December last year. He said that the board’s responsibilities go far beyond regulation, but also include supporting the dental industry, safeguarding the public interest, and ensuring that practitioners abide by professional norms.
“My goal is not to make a three-year plan to make drastic reforms, because the previous president Murray Thomas has laid a solid foundation for the board,” he said. “Our task now is to maintain transparency, fairness, and make appropriate adjustments when necessary.”
A supportive rather than punitive institution
Dr Shanahan stressed that the Dental Board is not an institution that only knows how to enforce discipline, it is also committed to understanding and helping all dental practitioners.
“We are not here to create fear, but we want to be a platform that can provide fair guidance to practitioners. I don’t want them to be afraid of us, but to be willing to seek help from us when they face challenges.”
According to relevant laws and regulations, the Dental Council is responsible for setting industry standards, supervising the registration process, and supervising dental practices to ensure public safety and quality of care. Its ultimate goal is to ensure that all Australians have access to high-quality and safe dental services.
In addition to supervision, provide substantial support
Dr. Shanahan has been involved in the affairs of the committee since 2012 and has served as Chairman of the Western Australian Registration and Notification Committee and Chairman of the National Notification Committee. He has also served in the Australian Dental Association (ADA) for more than 30 years and is well versed in the operation and challenges of the industry.
“Our role is to strike a balance between the public and practitioners. We are committed to handling registration and complaints objectively and fairly, rather than simply imposing sanctions.”
He particularly pointed out that the committee pays attention to cultural sensitivity and humane responses, and strives to make every practitioner or complainant who contacts them feel respected and fair.
For example, the Dental Practitioner Support Service is a free national program that provides confidential support around the clock and provides a platform for dentists under pressure to vent and receive guidance.
Industry performance continues to improve
According to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) data for 2022/24, the dental industry as a whole performed well: only 723 complaints were received, involving 597 dentists, accounting for less than 4% of the practitioners. Most of these cases were not further processed, reflecting the high compliance of the industry as a whole.
Dr. Shanahan is pleased with this and is confident about the prospects of the industry: “Most dentists are performing their duties conscientiously and protecting the health of patients. Although we are facing multiple pressures of technological updates, clinical needs and business operations, the overall performance is still something to be proud of.”
He hopes that in the future more dental practitioners will understand the role of the committee and be able to actively seek help when they encounter difficulties.
From the clinic to the committee, practicing the spirit of service
Before serving as the chairman of the committee, Dr. Shanahan ran the Southbridge Dental Clinic in Perth for nearly 30 years and practiced medicine with his wife, Dr. Millicent Woon. Three years ago, he handed over the management of the clinic to his partner, Dr. Louise Winters, and he still works five days a week with the team.
After stepping down from the management of the clinic, and with his two sons dropping out of school, he decided to take on more public responsibilities – so he took over the position of DBA president. “Although I often have to travel to the eastern states now, my family and colleagues are very supportive.”
In addition to his professional duties, Dr. Shanahan has also been committed to volunteering for many years. In 1998, he and his friends founded the “Equal Health” project to provide dental medical assistance in India, Thailand, Indonesia and East Timor. He also participated in Aboriginal projects in the Kimberley region and supported medical actions for vulnerable groups in Perth.
These contributions have won him many honors, including the Outstanding Service Award of the Western Australian Branch of the Australian Dental Association, and the titles of Honorary Fellow of the International Dental Academy and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Service can be simple
Although his volunteer activities have decreased since he became president, Dr. Shanahan firmly believes that serving the community can take many forms. “You don’t have to go overseas to provide free clinics. Daily guidance, supporting new graduates, and participating in local association activities are all very valuable contributions.”
“As long as you are willing, every dentist can find his or her own way to give back to society. Although our country is rich, there are still many people who need our help.”
He concluded: “If you have the skills and the opportunity, then helping others is not only a responsibility, but also an honor.”