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Join oral health practitioners and allied health professionals for an interactive session exploring collaborative patient care. Hear from experts in ENT, speech pathology, physiotherapy, orofacial myology, paediatrics, and more. Presentations, a panel discussion, and Q&A will provide practical insights and referral strategies.
Featuring speakers:
- Dr Rebecca Smith
- Working with speech pathologists to support holistic care.
- Dr Virginia Oliveira
- The relationship between sleep and children's development
- Mr Edward Yip
- TMJ Disorders: A Physiotherapist’s Perspective for Dental Professional
- Dr Ron Ehrlich
- A Holistic approach to Oral Health
- Dr Rithvik Reddy
- ENT Perspectives on Airway, Sinus and Craniofacial Health: What Dental Professionals Should Know
- Rochelle McPherson
- Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: Its Role in Multidisciplinary Patient Care
CPD Hours: 4 hours Scientific
Event Sponsors:
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Program:
9:00am Dr Rebecca Smith (Speech Pathology)
9:30am Edward Yip (TMJ Physiotherapy)
10:00am Dr Rithvik Reddy (ENT)
10:30am Morning Tea
10:50am Dr Virginia Oliveira (Sleep Medicine)
11:20am Rochelle McPherson (Orofacial Myology)
11:50am Dr Ron Ehrlich (Dentistry)
12:20pm Panel Q&A
1:00pm Close
Lecture Synopsis:
Working with speech pathologists to support holistic care - Dr Rebecca Smith
Speech pathologists work with people across the lifespan to help people across the lifespan with swallowing and communication impairments. Good oral health is essential for successful mealtimes and communication. Research tells us that diet and nutrition are directly linked to oral health. Poor oral health combined with impaired swallowing (dysphagia) may lead to respiratory disease, significantly impacting on the person’s overall health. In this presentation, Dr Rebecca Smith will bring her expertise on dysphagia and quality of life to discuss the importance of speech pathology in holistic patient management and how you may collaborate with speech pathologists to support positive outcomes for your patients.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding the importance of speech pathology in holistic patient management.
- Understanding collaboration with speech pathologists to support positive outcomes for your patients.
The relationship between sleep and children's development - Dr Virginia Oliveira
Overview of the most common sleep disorders in children and their impact in childhood development.
TMJ Disorders: A Physiotherapist’s Perspective for Dental Professionals - Mr Edward Yip
An overview of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders from a physiotherapy perspective, including how physiotherapists assess and manage TMJ dysfunction and common musculoskeletal contributors to jawpain. The presentation will also discuss how dental professionals and physiotherapists can collaborate effectively in the management of TMJ-related conditions.
Learning objectives:
• Understand how physiotherapists assess TMJ dysfunction and jaw-related musculoskeletal issues.
• Recognise common muscular and postural contributors to jaw pain.
• Identify when referral to a physiotherapist may benefit patients with TMJ disorders.
• Explore collaborative management strategies between dental professionals and physiotherapists.
A Holistic approach to Oral Health - Dr Ron Ehrlich
An overview of holistic dentistry and how it fits into a patient-centred whole-body approach to healthcare. We will explore what 'stress' means in our modern world, providing a holistic model on which to base not only our approach to our patients, but also our own professional development, how to understand and communicate within a whole-team approach and arguably and most importantly, the management of the personal health challenges of our profession.
Learning Objectives:
- Redefine stress
- A holistic model of health
- Define 'dental stress/oral health'
- Explore a 'patient-centred' approach and what the alternatives are.
ENT Perspectives on Airway, Sinus and Craniofacial Health: What Dental Professionals Should Know - Dr Rithvik Reddy
Learning Objectives;
- Recognise common ENT conditions that may present in dental settings.
- Understand how airway, sinus, and craniofacial health intersect with oral health.
- Identify situations where referral to an ENT specialist may be appropriate.
- Explore opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration between dental professionals and ENT specialists.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: Its Role in Multidisciplinary Patient Care - Rochelle McPherson
An overview of orofacial myofunctional therapy and its role in supporting oral function, airway health, and overall patient outcomes. This presentation will explore how OM integrates with dentistry and other allied health disciplines and highlight when referral and collaborative care are beneficial.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the role of orofacial myofunctional therapy in patient care.
- Recognise common orofacial myofunctional disorders encountered in dental settings.
- Identify when referral for myofunctional therapy may be appropriate.
Speaker Biographies
Dr Rebecca Smith
Speech Pathologist
Dr Rebecca Smith is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist who works at Western Sydney University as a Lecturer in Speech Pathology. Before joining the Western Sydney University team in 2024, Rebecca worked as a Lecturer in the department of Speech Pathology at the University of Technology Sydney.
Rebecca finished her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney in 2022 which examined the impacts of dysphagia on quality of life, participation, and inclusion. The project also examined the feasibility of using 3D food printing to improve the quality of life of people with dysphagia who require texture-modified meals. Rebecca received a Post Graduate scholarship from NHMRC to complete this project (2020-2022).
Rebecca completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Newcastle where she received 1st Class Honours and the University Medal. Rebecca also currently works part time in a private practice with children with developmental disabilities.
Dr Virginia Oliveira
Paediatrician and Sleep Specialist MBBS FRACP
Edward Yip
Physiotherapist
Edward is the Principal Physiotherapist at Balmain Physiotherapy by Sydney Allied Health Group. Having graduated from the University of Sydney, Edward is a highly experienced physiotherapist who prides himself on his ability to make a positive and long term difference in his patients’ lives. He enjoys working with patients to understand not only the cause of their musculoskeletal injuries or dysfunction but also to understand the whole individual including their interests and lifestyle. This ensures he is implementing a bespoke management plan to each patient based on his comprehensive assessment and their individual needs.
He educates and works to empower you so you have a clear understanding of the root cause of the problem. He uses a range of hands-on techniques and exercise prescription and is proficient in the use of some more specialised forms of manual therapy, dry needling and joint mobilisation techniques.
Edward has a particular interest in treating headaches, neck and jaws pain especially temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) but also still enjoys treating general musculoskeletal and sporting injuries. He also has extensive experience working with knees and shoulders pain patients of all age groups.
Outside of work, Edward enjoys reading, playing golf and hanging out with Katsu the Shiba.
Dr Ron Ehrlich
Holistic Dentist
Dr Ron Ehrlich is one of Australia’s leading advocates for holistic health, bringing over 40 years of clinical experience to his work in integrative medicine and wellbeing.
He holds Fellowships in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (FACNEM) and Lifestyle Medicine (FASLM), and is also a qualified Executive Coach (CIECL). Dr Ehrlich is a former President of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM), where he was honoured with Life Membership in recognition of his contribution to the field.
In addition to his clinical and leadership roles, Dr Ehrlich serves as Co-Founder and Board Member of Nourishing Australia, a not-for-profit organisation, and sits on the boards of the Ancestral Nutrition Foundation (formerly the Price-Pottenger Foundation) and the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service.
His multidisciplinary expertise extends to executive and health coaching, integrative breathing therapy, and mental fitness training—reflecting his commitment to a truly holistic approach to health.
Dr Ehrlich is also the author of A Life Less Stressed: The 5 Pillars of Health and Wellness (2018), an internationally published book that presents a practical and thought-provoking model for achieving sustainable wellbeing.
He has produced over 600 podcast episodes, and through his weekly show, Unstress Health, he explores a wide range of topics across health, lifestyle, and personal development.
Dr Rithvik Reddy
Paediatric and Adult ENT Surgeon MBBS, MSc, FRACS (OHNS)
Dr Rithvik Reddy is a Sydney-based, fellowship-trained ENT Surgeon with sub specialist expertise in otology, auditory implants, and lateral skull base surgery. His practice spans both adult and paediatric ENT, with additional interest in upper airway disorders including obstructive sleep apnoea, tonsillar and adenoidal disease, and nasal obstruction.
He holds consultant positions at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, and Liverpool Hospital, and is Supervisor of Training at Sydney Children’s Hospital. Dr Reddy completed advanced fellowship training in Complex Otology and Auditory Implants at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust in London.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and is actively involved in teaching and research through the University of New South Wales.
Rochelle McPherson
Orofacial Myologist
Rochelle stands at the forefront of Orofacial Myology in Australia, recognised as a distinguished practitioner in the field. Rochelle employs a distinctive and holistic approach to patient care through her Sydney-based, orofacial myology practice, OM Health.
Her collaborative philosophy is evident through her integration of a team approach, collaborating withDentists, ENTs, Sleep Specialists, Speech Pathologists, and other health professionals. At OM Health, she delivers comprehensive care to a diverse patient base of all ages. Rochelle's particular focus areas include Orofacial Growth and Development, Orofacial Pain, and Sleep Disordered Breathing.
A dedicated leader in the field, Rochelle serves as a director and lecturer at the Australian Academy of Orofacial Myology. Rochelle co-authored the textbook,"Dental Sleep Medicine," published by Springer in 2022, making important and ground-breaking contributions to the wider recognition of orofacial myofunctional therapy.
Registration Prices - Closing 22nd July 2026 12pm AEST
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Regular Pricing
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| OHAA members - |
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$125 |
| OHAA Student members - |
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$90 |
Non members -
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$250 |
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Terms & conditions
By registering for this event, delegates agree to abide by the applicable policies and guidelines. Please refer to the OHAA Cancellations & Refunds Policy for full details regarding changes, cancellations, and eligibility for refunds.
For face-to-face events, dietary requirements will be accommodated where possible; however, catering is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.