Oral Health National Clinical Network

The Oral Health National Clinical Network works to drive fair and high-quality oral health outcomes for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand.


About the Oral Health National Clinical Network

Tooth decay is the most widespread chronic disease across the world, and affects all age groups. It significantly impacts wellbeing and has high healthcare costs.

About 1 in 3 people have untreated tooth decay in Aotearoa New Zealand. Preschool aged tamariki, rangatahi and care-dependent older people are particularly affected. Oral health inequalities exist for:

  • Māori
  • Pacific peoples
  • disabled peoples
  • people living in poverty
  • people in rural areas.

The Oral Health National Clinical Network aims to improve equity and quality in oral health by providing:

  • national leadership
  • access to evidence-based standards and models of care
  • support for workforce development
  • collaboration with stakeholders to align services with community needs and aspirations.

Our members

Name Role Location
Kathryn Fuge Network Co-lead
Dental Public Health
Specialist Clinical Director
Wellington
Leeann Waaka Network Co-lead
Clinical Lead
Dental Therapist
Chair, Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Māori Dental Association
Hauora a Toi
Bay of Plenty — Te Manawa Taki
Abbey Corbett Specialist Paediatric Dentist Canterbury — Te Wai Pounamu
Anna Dawson General Dentist
Service Clinical Director
Auckland
Daniel Sundaresan Special Needs Dentist Waikato — Te Manawa Taki
Douglas Healey Manager Digital ICT Hauora Māori Services Auckland
Heuiwon (Chris) Han Lecturer (AUT)
Clinician (ARDS — Health NZ) 
Community Engagement Director (NZOHA)
Auckland
John Thompson Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologist Auckland
Juliet Gray Specialist Care Dentist Canterbury — Te Wai Pounamu
Kura Lacey Lecturer (Hauora Māori, University of Otago, Dentist) Canterbury — Te Wai Pounamu
Margaret Clark Dentist — Ora Toa Porirua — Te Ikaroa
Philip Sussex Clinical Director COHS Nelson Marlborough and Nelson Hospital Dentist Nelson
Rena O’Connell Service Manager
Dental Therapist
Lakes — Te Manawa Taki
Sene Ioane Senior Dental Officer (Special Care) Canterbury — Te Wai Pounamu
Stella Marshall Advanced Oral Health Therapist Wellington

Contact us

Email us if you want more information about the Oral Health National Clinical Network.

nationaloralhealthnetwork@tewhatuora.govt.nz