ADC2025 speaker spotlight - meet A/Prof..Yeoh and Dr Weerakoon

The ADA’s Australian Dental Congress 2025 is so close we can almost smell the salty sea breezes of Perth! This month, dentists from across Australia are gathering in this year’s host city to take part in the premier dental event of 2025, featuring a world-class scientific program, an industry-leading exhibition, fun social events, and the chance to accrue a potential 30+ hours of CPD learning time.

Over the last months, we have met a select sample of the fantastic international line-up of speakers and workshop presenters readying their material for ADC2025. For this special souvenir issue, we are excited to meet two expert practitioners innovating in quite different fields within oral health: Associate Professor Sue-Ching Yeoh (oral medicine/oncology) * and Dr Arosha Weerakoon (dental materials, AI and education) **.

What kind of subject matter will you be covering at ADC2025? How did you choose it and how will you be presenting it?

S-CY: I will be presenting on a variety of topics at ADC2025. I always try to pick subjects that are topical 
and applicable to everyone, no matter where their clinical interests lie. There will be a lecture that covers ‘risky oral habits’, looking particularly at oral implications of relatively common habits such as vaping, smoking, and nicotine pouch use. During and immediately after the height of the COVID pandemic, we started to see some oral presentations that were thought to be related to COVID infections and vaccination, which was very interesting. I had a number of patients present with flares of pre-existing oral mucosal conditions soon after vaccination, and others that asked about what oral manifestations were emerging as a result of COVID. I also had many patients and dentists ask about the HPV vaccine, and what the oral implications of being immunised against HPV were. So, my second lecture at the ADC2025 will focus on these topics.

I will also be convening the Therapeutic Guidelines Symposium. You may be aware that the updated version (Version 4) of the Therapeutic Guidelines Oral and Dental (otherwise known as the ‘Clown Book’) is soon to be released. I was very honoured to be part of the writing group for this, and this symposium will be an opportunity to highlight some of the new content as well as some updated advice.

There will also be an Oral Mucosal Disease Workshop held on Wednesday 7 April, and I’m very excited to have some of my colleagues from Perth joining me to run a practical session on head and neck examination, and biopsy techniques.

AW: In addition to my interest in AI-enhanced tools for education, I have a strong interest in AI-led healthcare, particularly within the context of the Australian health practitioner regulatory framework. This is an emerging area of both need and expertise, and I’m excited to convene a symposium that explores whether AI will enhance practice or compromise professional integrity. While AI presents significant opportunities to co-create technologies that support both clinicians and patients, it is essential to critically examine the associated ethical and regulatory considerations. But and AI-enhanced future is full of possibilities, and I look forward to exploring them alongside our speakers.

My aim is to structure the symposium so that the presentations build upon one another, guiding the audience – particularly those new to the topic – through key ideas and concepts in a logical and accessible way.

Sue-Ching, your career has taken you well into multidisciplinary work, in hospital and oncology spheres. Tell us about that? 

S-CY: Over the years, I have been involved in many multidisciplinary clinical teams, ranging from head and neck oncology to clinical oral immunology. This work is very interesting and extremely rewarding. I am fortunate to be able to work with brilliant clinicians, each with their own area of expertise that are able to complement each other in terms of skill and knowledge, to deliver personalised holistic care. It’s been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career so far.

Arosha, your own career has included a proactive role as a digital creator and dental communicator. Tell us more? 

AW: As a science communicator, I’m the top global oral health contributor to The Conversation Media Group 
with my articles that explain the nuances of and promote oral health. My articles have been republished by local and international outlets, translated into languages that include Japanese, Indonesian, Danish and Arabic, and have attracted media coverage across radio and online platforms to promote oral health awareness locally and around the world.

I really believe that community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration and patient empowerment is the key to improving oral and general health for all. I hope my role as a Colgate Advocate has helped to create meaningful discussions to improve health practices, patient outcomes and to encourage more clinicians to engage with research.

With your experience, what do you both think the future holds for Australian dentistry?

S-CY: Oral medicine is a growing specialty. We have an amazing trainee group across Australia, who are bright and enthusiastic, and they are the future of our specialty. The field is moving ahead in leaps and bound with fascinating research into various areas including early detection of oral potentially malignant disorders and monitoring for changes that would indicate malignant transformation; harnessing AI to improve our ability to assess lesions and ultimately positively influence patient outcome. 

I hope we continue to grow our profession, holding ourselves to the highest possible standard. I hope that 
as a profession we never stop questioning and learning; and never forget the important role that oral health plays in the patient’s overall general health.
 
AW: I see the future of dentistry as one built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to delivering excellent care. ADC2025 is more than a conference – it’s a chance to connect with peers, embrace emerging technologies, deepen our knowledge, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of our profession. On behalf of the National Organising Committee, I’m excited to welcome you to Perth for a few unforgettable days of learning, connecting, and discovery. 

What are you most looking forward to at ADC2025? 

S-CY: I’m really looking forward to catching up with colleagues and friends and learning together at ADC2025. There is an amazing line-up of presentations, covering a wide range of topics – truly something for everyone! 

AW: I always enjoy reconnecting with old university friends and colleagues. I’m looking forward to learning from world-class educators and seeing our plans come to life as part of the National Organising Committee. It’s been a real privilege to be involved in the inner workings of the Congress.

* Associate Professor Sue-Ching Yeoh is an Ahpra-registered oral medicine specialist. She maintains a specialist private practice in Sydney as well as a clinical appointment at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. A/Prof. Yeoh holds an academic post with the University Sydney and is the current Stream Coordinator of the DClinDent (Oral Medicine) training program. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (General and Special Fields Stream); the International College of Dentists; the Pierre Fauchard Academy; and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow. She is currently the President of the Oral Medicine Academy of Australasia (OMAA) and the Chair of the Australian Dental Association Therapeutics Committee. She is a contributing author to the Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental Versions 3 and 4.

** Dr Arosha Weerakoon is senior lecturer and course coordinator at the University of Queensland’s (UQ) School of Dentistry in public health and professional practice, supervises research in dental materials, and is part of a multidisciplinary UQ team working to implement and evaluate the use of AI in higher education to create inclusive and flexible learning environments for health professional education. She is principal dentist and owner of Tewantin Family Dental on the Sunshine Coast, serves as Deputy Chair of the Clinical Advisory Council for Country to Coast Queensland, and as an Advocate for Oral Health and Key Opinion Leader for Colgate. She collaborates with industry partners such as Kuraray Noritake Dental, contributes to national and 
international professional bodies, including the Australian Dental Congress organising committee.

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