Shaping a Profession
This publication commemorates dental therapists in Victoria since 1972. It traces this journey through the lived experience of the dental therapists and academics associated with their education and training. Importantly, it highlights the crucial role of advocacy in securing the professional frameworks and tertiary education for dental therapists and oral health therapists. Crucial were the industry associations, the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association (ADOHTA) and Victorian Dental Therapist Association (renamed VDOHTA in 2008),which advocated for change in Victoria.
Stories and many of the items in the exhibition and publication were collected from the extended network of practitioners. These include material, such as certificates, class photographs, wax teeth, uniforms, course results and class notes. Significantly, the archive material from the now-defunct VDOHTA, which documents the major legislative and policy changes in Victoria that enabled the practice of dental therapists, has become a substantial addition to the Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum collection is also in the exhibition and publication. As well as material that provides evidence of changing social values.
To purchase a hard copy email mhm-info@unimelb.edu.au.
