Session 1:

WORKSHOP: Paediatrics 101

9:00am - 11:30am
 (20% off for FULL MDPA Members)

​2.5 hours CPD

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Sensory Profiling Workshop: "More than a mouth: Using individual sensory profiles to improve dental visits for neurodivergent children".

Explore the power of sensory profiling to better understand and support young patients during dental visits.

A practical and engaging workshop for oral health clinicians exploring sensory processing and sensory profiling in young children, including those who are neurodivergent. She will introduce key sensory concepts, highlight how sensory differences impact a child’s experience during dental care, and provide simple, evidence-informed strategies to support regulation, comfort, and cooperation in dental appointments.

Attendees will also gain insight into their own sensory profiles and how their sensory preferences and responses may influence interactions with children and families in a clinical setting.
 

 

WORKSHOP: Geriatrics 101

3:00pm - 5:00pm
(20% off for FULL MDPA Members)

​2 hours CPD​

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Cognitive Decline & Dementia Workshop: "More than a diagnosis: Understanding cognitive decline to improve dental care for patients with dementia”.

Gain insights into managing cognitive decline through deeper understanding of the neurodegenerative disease.

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Through a medical lens, this workshop will unpack what is happening in the brain, how cognition deteriorates over time, and what this means for decision-making capacity, consent, pain expression, oral hygiene tolerance, swallowing, nutrition, and treatment planning. Participants will learn what to expect at each stage of the disease trajectory, from early subtle changes to advanced cognitive and physical decline and how oral health care must adapt accordingly.

The session also focuses on real-world clinical management in aged care and community settings, highlighting the oral health professional’s role within a multidisciplinary team alongside GPs, nurses, speech pathologists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and carers. Practical strategies will be discussed for working collaboratively with family members and next of kin, navigating consent and substitute decision-making, and delivering trauma-informed, dignity-preserving care to one of our most vulnerable populations.

This workshop is designed to build confidence, clinical insight, and compassion, empowering participants to provide safe, ethical, and person-centred oral health care across the full dementia journey.

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