Deputy CDO appointment is a ‘missed opportunity’ for dental team

While the association has said it looks forward to working with Rakhee to further strengthen the dental profession and improve oral health outcomes across the nation, it said this latest appointment continues the trend of dentists filling the senior leadership roles within the Office of the Chief Dental Officer’s (OCDO). It believes that future opportunities could benefit from including a dental care professional (DCP) in such positions.

Rachael England, a dental hygienist, was a candidate for the post. She said, “It is disappointing that the voices of DCPs remain absent from this level of representation. DCPs play a critical and often underrecognised role in the delivery of dental care and oral health improvement, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and underserved populations. Their unique perspective, grounded in frontline experience and direct patient care, is essential in tackling the significant oral health challenges faced by these communities. Including DCPs at the national decision-making table would enrich discussions, bring diversity of thought, and enhance the development of strategies that address the needs of all segments of the population.”