On 19 June, the Australian Dental Council (ADC) proudly launched our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), marking a significant step in ongoing commitment to reconciliation with Australia’s First Peoples.
Through this Innovate RAP, the ADC aims to strengthen authentic relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations, while continuing to embed meaningful and sustainable change across our organisation and the broader dental health sector.
We celebrated this important milestone with a special event attended by ADC team members, committee members, board directors and distinguished guests.
At the event, guests enjoyed a moving Welcome to Country from Stacie Piper and dance performance from the Djirri Djirri Dancers. We heard from First Nations artist Lani Balzan, who produced artworks for both the ADC’s Reflect and Innovate RAPs, ADC Board Chair Dr Felicia Valianatos and ADC CEO Jonathon Kruger.
Dr Valianatos reflected on the ADC’s responsibility to set the standards for oral health education and assessment of internationally trained dental practitioners and how reconciliation is central to this responsibility.
“It is also our responsibility to make sure the standards reflect fairness, safety and inclusion, so that all Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, receive dental care that is not just clinically sound, but also culturally safe.”
Echoing her commitment, ADC CEO Mr Kruger shared that our RAP and the activities included aren’t “just actions or a checklist, but commitments in motion.”
The ADC looks forward to sharing further updates as we progress our Innovate RAP, and work towards a healthcare system where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience respect, cultural understanding, and equity in every interaction.
