Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Laurence J. Walsh AO is a leading Australian specialist in special needs dentistry, and a multi-award winning educator and researcher. He has had a pre-eminent role in developing and assessing new technologies for dentistry. Laurie holds patents in 7 different fields of technology. He is ranked in the top 150 dental scientists in the world, and has published over 400 journal publications and 12 books. He is an emeritus professor at the University of Queensland, where he served for 36 years on the academic staff (including 10 years as head of school) before retiring in 2020.
In his retirement he continues to teach and examine at multiple Australian universities, and work on special research projects than involve industry working with Australian universities. Laurie is an international authority in infection control in dentistry. He has contributed to development of Australia’s guidelines and standards for over 30 years through roles on national bodies. He has served on the ADA’s Infection Control Committee for over 25 years.
Clinical Professor Alexander Holden completed his undergraduate dental degree in Sheffield (UK) and then completed further four degrees in law, dental public health, community dentistry and research from the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Before moving to Sydney in 2015, Alexander worked clinically in private and public practice in the North of England, holding a special interest in conscious sedation and the use of hypnosis in dentistry.
Alexander holds specialist registration with the Dental Board of Australia in Public Health (Community) Dentistry and is internationally recognised for his work on oral health systems, dental ethics and healthcare professionalism. In Australia, he has worked within the private, public and academic sectors and currently holds senior academic and public health positions.
Alexander is currently the Head of Specialist Services at Sydney Dental Hospital and Oral Health Services where he manages a diverse and integrated portfolio of specialised departments offering cutting-edge care. The departments within the portfolio contain conventional specialist services such as prosthodontics and oral medicine, alongside more holistic care such as social work. He is also co-owner and Director of Honest Tooth Dental Care, a private dental practice in St Leonards, Sydney.
Speakers
With over 36 years in the dental industry, Lyn Carman is passionate about improving workforce satisfaction and engagement. Her career began as a Dental Assistant, gaining her qualifications as a Dental Hygienist in 1986. Lyn’s diverse experience includes roles as a Clinical Dental Hygienist, Practice Owner, Leadership Coach, and Consultant.
Lyn has worked as a Practice Manager, Patient Coordinator, and Clinical Tutor, and volunteers in Timor Leste as a mentor. Her involvement in advisory and governance committees, along with her work in practice consolidation and team building, highlights her commitment to both oral health and workforce development.
In January 2024, Lyn launched the Lync Dental Jobs Board and Careers Hub to transform dental recruitment. She is passionate about aligning your values with your work and helps dental professionals find roles that truly excite them. Lyn also advocates for greater access to oral health in rural and remote areas, aiming to support the dental workforce in choosing these vital locations. Her goal is to connect employers and employees in ways that foster mutual fulfilment, so everyone goes home feeling inspired and motivated.
Founder of Charles Institute of Technology, providing the Diploma of Dental Technology since 2010.
After several years of working in Sydney, Diane went on to pursue her passion in paediatric dentistry, successfully attaining a Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry (paediatric dentistry) from The University of Sydney in 2013. Her research thesis was based on frenotomies and its effectiveness on infants with tongue-ties and feeding difficulties. She has also completed a diploma in child health after her specialist paediatric training. Diane is a visiting specialist at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead where she thoroughly enjoys managing a range of cases in which her main clinical interests lie; the management of special needs and medically complexed children, paediatric oral medicine and pathology and dental trauma.
Diane is actively committed to continuing education and teaching, maintaining her role as clinical associate lecturer with The University of Sydney. In addition, Diane is the principal dentist of a specialist multidisciplinary practice, Sydney Specialist Dental Group. She practices privately in Parramatta and St Peters. Originally from Singapore, Diane enjoys dining with family and friends. She has 3 beautiful children who constantly remind her of ‘what is important in life’.
Mark is a Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney as well as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer and Clinical Team Leader in Portable Dentistry for Charles Sturt University and has extensive clinical experience, treating residents in Aged Care Facilities as well as many housebound patients in their private homes. Member Australian Dental Assn, Honourary member Dental Hygienists Assn of Australia