Advocates for Oral Health: Content Community
Preventive oral health practice is at the core of an Advocate’s professional beliefs. The community’s aim is to support and encourage oral health professionals by sharing insight-led articles across social network channels including LinkedIn, Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
The Community’s Aims and Current Members
The Advocates for Oral Health Community (AOHC) is a group of dental and oral health professionals who have a passion for preventive oral health practice. The AOHC aims to support and encourage the next generation of dental professionals through the sharing of their knowledge and experience on a range of relevant and topical issues based on their experience in the profession. Members of the community publish relevant and interesting oral health content, enabling peer to peer engagement and promoting ongoing collaboration within the dental profession.
Who are the current Colgate Advocates?
Dr Haydyn Bathurst is a recent graduate dentist currently in the Sydney Dental Hospital Recent Graduate Program. Dr Bathurst is a host on the Dental Headstart Podcast and on the recent graduate committee for the ADA NSW. Dr Bathurst aims to connect the dental industry to a new generation of patients and dental practitioners. As a member of the Colgate Advocates for Oral Health, Haydyn aims to use this platform to connect and engage with colleagues and peers across the broad field of dentistry.
Haydyn Bathurst Social Channels:
Dr Sam Koh is a Melbourne-based dentist, graduating from The University of Melbourne with First Class Honours. As the Director and Principal Dentist of Dental Boutique Mornington, his special interests are in Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry. Dr Koh has been awarded a fellowship from the International Academy of DentoFacial Esthetics in New York, holds a fellowship in Orthodontics and a fellowship from the Pierre Fauchard Academy in London. Dr Koh is a proud founding member of the Colgate Advocates for Oral Health and is also a key opinion leader for Colgate Optic White and clinical advisor for several dental companies.
Dr Sam Koh Social Channels:
Christine Murthi is an Oral Health Therapist graduated from Auckland University of Technology. Prior to this she obtained qualifications in pharmacology and secondary teaching from the University of Auckland. She has teaching/tutoring experience spanning more than ten years and enjoys utilising these skills in clinical practice. She loves working in a culturally diverse city and connecting with different communities. Her interest in sustainability in dentistry led her to enrol into the Master of Health Science programme which provides her with an opportunity to advance and expand her knowledge. In addition to academic pursuits Christine actively volunteers and gives back to the community where she can. As a member of the Colgate Advocates for Oral Health community, her contributions to the dental community aim to promote good oral health for all and keeping a healthy smile for life.
Christine Murthi Social Channels:
Dr Latisha Sykora is a new graduate dentist, having studied a Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Adelaide. As a proud Mudburra-Jingili woman, she possesses great desire and commitment to elevate Indigenous oral health outcomes by promoting leadership and preventive measures. Latisha’s journey in dentistry began in 2012, completing a school-based traineeship in dental assisting, an experience that fuelled her interest in oral disease, particularly in rural and remote communities. Her determination led to becoming a graduate Oral Health Therapist in 2019. Currently, she serves as a supporting clinician at the Indigenous Oral Health Unit (IOHU) at the University of Adelaide, while also devoting time to work in private practice. For Latisha, early intervention and education hold the key to achieving excellence in oral health. She actively demonstrates this belief by mentoring Indigenous students and serving as a Director of the Indigenous Dental Association Australia (IDAA). In 2022, she was awarded the Student Leadership Award for Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). Through her inspiring work and leadership, Latisha joins the Colgate Advocates for Oral Health community ready to embody a lasting impact on Indigenous oral health and create a brighter, healthier future for her community.
Latisha Sykora Social Channels:
Dr Kaejenn Tchia is a recent graduate working in a corporate private practice in Darwin, Northern Territory. He is the current President of the Australian Dental Association NT Branch Inc. He has also served leadership positions for Bupa Dental Corporation including the Clinical Advisory Panel, Clinical Procurement Committee, Graduate Committee and the recently revamped Dental Advisory Panel. He is passionate about helping and collaborating with fellow dental colleagues, recently embarking on a new journey to help recent graduates eliminate burnout through a 6-step B.E.L.I.E.F System. As a Colgate Advocate for Oral Health, Kaejenn aims to inspire clinicians to have practical tools and guides to help them create the fulfilling dental career of their dreams.
Dr Kaejenn Tchia Social Channels:
Tim Budden is an Oral Health Therapist who graduated from his Bachelor of Oral Health in 2011 and Graduate Certificate in Oral Health Science in 2018. He recently completed a Master in Public Health and Master in Health Administration at Monash University where he received the School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine Student Excellence Award. Tim currently works in the South Australian Department of Health and Wellbeing as the Manager of Intergovernment Relations. Prior to this, he spent eight years in South Australia’s public dental service with interests in prison health, special needs, and disability. In 2020 Tim transitioned from clinical practice to leading the contact tracing team in South Australia during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. To maintain his clinical skills, he tutors at the University of Adelaide and undertakes locum roles in private practice. As a passionate advocate for his profession Tim is also the current Board Director of Advocacy for the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association. Tim hopes to use his role as a Colgate Advocate for Oral Health to promote the importance of oral health in general health, diverse career paths for oral health professionals, and the significance of health policy.
Tim Budden Social Channels:
Dr Arosha Weerakoon is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, and owner of Tewantin Family Dental. Holding a Master’s in Public Health and a PhD (UQ) on ‘Dentine, Adhesive Interfaces & Physiological Ageing,’ she is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fouchard Academy. Dr Weerakoon serves as Assistant Secretary for the International Dental Ethics and Law Society and Deputy Chair on the Country to Coast Queensland Clinical Advisory Council. Her commitment to professional development was recognised with the 2022 BOQ Specialist Practice Bursary from the Australian Dental Association (QLD) and the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Convention Trailblazer Grant in 2019. The same year, she won Universities Australia’s Vice Chancellor’s Award for her research pitch, ‘It’s about bonding with fillings,’ followed by an internship at The Conversation Media Group, where she has published twelve articles. Dr Weerakoon is dedicated to enhancing oral and general health through community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient empowerment. As a Colgate Advocate for Oral Health, Arosha aims to foster meaningful dialogue among health professionals to improve patient outcomes and inspire greater clinical engagement with research.
Dr Arosha Weerakoon Social Channels:
