LUCIA QUINN
Registered Oral Health Therapist BOH, GDDT, BHSc (Honours)
Lucia is an experienced Oral Health Therapist with adult scope, currently practising at the Hunter Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centre, Hunter Valley Smiles, and within the Hunter New England Local Health District. Her career spans both the public and private sectors, including a specialist surgical setting, allowing her to work at the coalface of diverse and complex clinical presentations.
Lucia holds a Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH), a Graduate Diploma in Dental Therapy (GDDT), and a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours). Her Honours research explored the relationship between childhood obesity and dental caries, earning her the Highest Achievement in Bachelor of Health Science Honours. She presented her findings at the ADOHTA NSW Conference and published her manuscript in the ADOHTA Journal (2018).
Previously, Lucia held an academic position as Lecturer in Oral Health at the University of Newcastle, where she taught subjects such as Oral Pathology and Dental Radiography and Radiology. Her academic responsibilities also included course coordination, clinical management and supervision, and leading international student placements in Cambodia, providing oral health care to children and young adults.
Lucia is particularly passionate about the connection between oral and general health and is recognised for her compassionate and skilled approach to helping patients—especially children—manage dental fear and anxiety.
A current member of the Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA), Lucia is deeply committed to professional development and is enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge with early-career practitioners. She is especially focused on mentorship, supporting the growth, confidence, and clinical readiness of new graduates entering the profession.
HONORARY PROFESSOR JANET WALLACE
Registered Oral Health Therapist
Phd, GCPTT, BOH (hygiene), Dip DT, Dip BM, Cert Health Promotion
Honorary Professor Janet Wallace is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in oral health, known for her deep commitment to advancing the profession through education, research, clinical innovation, and policy reform. With a career spanning over three decades, Janet’s expertise bridges the academic, regulatory, and public health sectors—making her a respected voice in shaping the future of oral health care in Australia and beyond.
Holding an honorary position at the University of Newcastle, Janet continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of future oral health professionals. She mentors higher degree research candidates and is actively involved in the Bachelor of Oral Health program, particularly through her pioneering work in Senior Smiles—a nationally recognised preventive oral health model designed to improve care for older adults in Residential Aged Care Facilities. This remains her primary area of research and advocacy, and she continues to champion better access and equity for vulnerable populations.
Janet’s diverse qualifications reflect her multidisciplinary strengths, with formal training in dental therapy, dental hygiene, business management, health promotion, tertiary education, and a PhD focused on oral health education. Her broad expertise has made her a sought-after contributor in regulatory and accreditation roles, having served with distinction on the Dental Council of NSW, AHPRA’s Registration and Compliance Committee, the New Zealand Dental Council, and the Australian Dental Council. Through these appointments, she has played a key role in shaping professional standards, curriculum development, and the evolution of scope of practice across the sector.
Her outstanding contributions have been recognised through numerous awards and professional honours, including:
- Honorary Fellow, International College of Dentists
- Honorary Fellow, Academy of Dentistry International
- Valuable Service Award, Australian Dental Association
- Allied Health Across Boards Recipient
- Rotary Award for Community Service in Oral Health
- Life Membership, Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association
- Honorary Membership, Dental Hygienists Association of Australia
- Life Membership, Oral Health Association of Australia
As co-founder of The Oral Health Therapy Collective, Janet brings her passion for evidence-based education and her unwavering dedication to the profession. In partnership with Lucia Quinn, she is committed to delivering meaningful, accessible continuing professional development that supports and inspires the next generation of oral health practitioners.
