Achievements and Recognition

We always like to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our members in the Dental Study Group, with Lisa Heitz-Mayfield holding the massive role of Scientific Chair for the International Osteology Symposium in Vienna, 23-25 April 2026. If you would like to join Lisa and Fritz in what to proves to be a very comprehensive and educational program, please just click on the link  International Osteology Symposium Vienna 2026

Congratulations Lisa for yet another incredible achievement!

Foundation Member of the Dental Study Group of WA 1954; Honorary Life Member 1971; Medal of the Order of Australia 2020; Specialist Oral Surgeon

Dr Ted Adler OAM is a Founding Member, Past President, and Honorary Life Member of the Dental Study Group of Western Australia.  He is probably best known as a preeminent oral surgeon , and for his role as one of the pioneers in introducing titanium dental implants to Australia.  Dr Adler became part of WA’s dental history, being in the first graduating class of dentistry from the University of Western Australia.  A few years later, he began his master’s degree to become an oral surgeon.

Dr Adler spent years as a consultant Oral Surgeon working at Royal Perth Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and Hollywood Repatriation General Hospital.  In his retirement Dr Adler busied himself with volunteer work, volunteering for WA’s Jewish Burial Society, and then later at the University of Western Australia’s Visitor Information Centre. In 2005 Dr Adler was admitted to the Campbell-Wilson Roll of Honour in Dentistry and in 2020 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia. Congratulations Dr Adler.

Chair of the Dental Board of Australia 2024

Dr Shanahan’s distinguished career reflects over three decades of dedication to clinical excellence, professional governance, and community service. A long-standing member of the Australian Dental Association, he has contributed extensively at both state and national levels, including serving as Chair of the Federal ADA Special Purpose Committee on Volunteering and as a member of numerous ADA (WA) committees focused on practice standards, infection control, and oral health promotion. His leadership within the Dental Study Group of Western Australia, where he served as President in 2016, further demonstrates his commitment to advancing continuing education and professional collaboration across the dental community.

Dr Shanahan’s exceptional record of regulatory and professional service culminated in his appointment as Chair of the Dental Board of Australia in 2024, following his long-standing tenure as a practitioner member since 2021. He has chaired and served on several of the Board’s key committees, including the National Dental Notifications and Compliance Committee, the Immediate Action Committee, and the Registration and Notification Committee. His contributions have strengthened national standards of dental practice and patient safety. Beyond Australia, Dr Shanahan’s humanitarian work through Equal Health Incorporated, which he co-founded in 1998, and his involvement with the Kimberley Dental Team, reflect his enduring commitment to improving oral health outcomes for underserved communities both locally and abroad.

Andreasen Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dental Traumatology in 2024;  Louis I. Grossman Award in 2025

Paul is Emeritus Professor of Dentistry at The University of Western Australia and a Specialist Endodontist with more than 45 years of clinical practice experience both in private specialist practice while also holding part-time academic positions at both UWA and the University of Melbourne.

He went on to serve as Dean and Head of the School of Dentistry at UWA, and as Director of the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia. Over the course of his remarkable career, Paul has delivered more than 1,700 lectures and courses across 54 countries, and published over 425 works, including journal articles, textbook chapters, and professional resources.

His contributions to dentistry have been recognised globally, most recently with the Andreasen Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dental Traumatology in 2024, and the prestigious Louis I. Grossman Award in 2025 from the American Association of Endodontists.  In 2015, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to dentistry and higher education.

Distinguished Service Award Recipient 2025

Dr Andrew Heap has dedicated his career to advancing oral health through clinical excellence, education, and humanitarian service. A recipient of the Australian Dental Association of Western Australia’s Distinguished Service Award, Dr Heap has made a lasting impact as a clinician, mentor, and advocate for equitable dental care. His volunteer work spans both local and international outreach, including over a decade with the Kimberley Dental Team, where he provided essential care to Aboriginal communities and mentored final-year dental students, as well as through his involvement with Equal Health, delivering dental services to underserved populations in India.

Throughout his career, Dr Heap has also been deeply engaged in professional and community initiatives. He has served on the ADAWA Council, chaired the Oral Health Education Committee, and contributed to public oral health promotion through exhibitions, education programs, and community outreach. In addition to his practice-based mentorship of dental assistants and students, he continues to guide emerging practitioners as a clinical tutor at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia. Though retired from private practice, Dr Heap remains active in the profession through teaching, volunteering, and his role on the Western Australian Forensic Odontology Group—a testament to his enduring commitment to the advancement of dentistry and community wellbeing.

ADAWA Honorary Life Membership 2024. 

Dr Nick Albatis he has a long history of quietly giving back to the profession – probably best known for his work as a clinical tutor at the Dental School over a period of 36 years.

Supporting the new generations of dentists has long been a passion of Nick’s, which includes his role as Co-chair of the ADAWA Recent Graduates and Student Liaison Committee – arranging the New Practitioners Program study clubs and the Young Dentists’ Conference.But his commitment to the profession goes much beyond his work as a clinical tutor. He was a respected member on the ADAWA Council between 2000-2004, while at the same time running his practice in Leederville and giving his time as the Alumni secretary for 15 years.

Nick has also been inducted as a fellow into the Pierre Fauchard Academy. It adds to his Fellowship with the Academy of Dentistry International , the International College of Dentists and now as an Honorary Life Member of the ADAWA. All well-deserved acknowledgements.

Distinguished Service Award Recipient 2025

Dr. Lena Lejmanoski has been recognised by the Australian Dental Association (WA Branch) with a Distinguished Service Award for her exceptional and sustained contribution to the dental profession in Western Australia and across Australia.

Throughout her career, Dr. Lejmanoski has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing oral health, professional education, and community wellbeing. A long-standing and highly active member of the Australian Dental Association, she has served in numerous leadership and representative roles that have had a significant impact on the profession. Her extensive service includes positions as Councillor for the ADA WA Branch, Chair of ADAWA’s Oral Health Committee, Federal Representative for the WA Branch on the ADA Federal Oral Health Committee, Federal Chair of the ADA Oral Health Committee, and Convenor of Continuing Professional Development.

Beyond her committee work, Dr. Lejmanoski has made substantial contributions to community engagement and professional development through event organisation and program delivery. On behalf of ADAWA, she has successfully coordinated the annual Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo, providing valuable oral health education to families and expectant parents, and has convened the Practical Oral Surgery Course, helping clinicians refine their surgical skills and confidence in patient care.

In each of these roles, Dr. Lejmanoski has worked tirelessly to promote and advocate evidence-based oral health practices, foster collaboration across the profession, and enhance opportunities for continuing education and professional growth among dental practitioners.

70 years of continuous ADAWA membership 2025

Dr Bruce Barblett has devoted more than seven decades to the dental profession, exemplifying excellence in clinical practice, education, and professional service. After graduating from the University of Western Australia in 1955, Dr Barblett began his career at the Perth Dental Hospital before broadening his experience in the United Kingdom. Upon his return to Perth in 1959, he was invited to teach at the UWA Dental School—a role that reflected both his skill and passion for mentoring the next generation of practitioners. His contributions to the university were later recognised in 2003, when he was appointed to the Campbell-Wilson Roll of Honour by the UWA Dental Alumni.

In 1960, Dr Barblett joined Cottesloe Dental as a partner, where he cared for generations of patients until his retirement in 1999. Alongside his clinical work, he served on the Dental Board of Western Australia for six years, helping to uphold professional standards within the field. His exceptional service was acknowledged by the Australian Dental Association (WA Branch) with a Distinguished Service Award in 1994. A longstanding and respected member of the dental community, Dr Barblett has been actively involved in numerous professional organisations and was honoured with Honorary Life Membership of the Dental Study Group of Western Australia in 2023—a fitting recognition of his lifetime of dedication, integrity, and leadership within the profession.

David was born in Southport Lancashire, August 27, 1937, to Robert and Mary (nee Spencer). His father’s work took the family to Singapore, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart, and eventually they settled in Perth.

David did very well in his leaving certificate exams at Wesley College and won a Commonwealth scholarship to the University of Western Australia’s dental faculty in 1954, completing his degree in 1959.

Initially David worked as a Junior House Officer for the Perth Dental Hospital, then worked in London for a period of time before returning to Perth Dental Hospital and private practice. He always had a desire to become an oral surgeon, and this was realised when he completed his Master of Dental Science in Oral surgery and Oral Pathology at UWA.

David made notable contributions to clinical dentistry and dental research. He held the positions of Senior Lecturer at the UWA Dental School, Consultant at Royal Perth Hospital, and Director of Training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He had visiting appointments and consultancies at hospitals and dental schools in England, Wales, the USA, Thailand and the Philippines. David also worked as an oral pathologist for the Bone Tumour Registry of WA, Western Diagnostic Pathology and St John of God Pathology. His knowledge of pathology was second to none.

David had a keen interest in education policy, teaching methods and assessment of teaching. This led to a Graduate Diploma in Education (with distinction) from Curtin University in 1996 and then a Master of Education in 1998 from the University of Tasmania. David was Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, UWA from 1982-1983 and 1984- 1986.

As Paul Abbott, Head of the Dental School, wrote when David retired in 2002: “Over the last 36 years, David has made significant contributions to our School of Dentistry at UWA. He is a former Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry and is well known for his kindness and willingness to assist students and fellow staff members. He was of tremendous value to the School of Dentistry.”  David had also been a member of numerous dental associations, societies and study groups, many of which have honoured David for his services with various awards and life memberships.

David combined his professional life with service to the community in the form of membership and various official positions within the South Perth Apex Club, the New Church in Australia, the parents and friends association of the WA Federation of Independent Schools, the Schools Commission Committee to review community education centres in WA, and Plan International Australia.

David was also known for his humanitarian efforts. During a visit in 2003 to Vietnam, he became aware that basic dental and medical services were not available to a vast majority of Vietnamese people, particularly children. He noted there was an extraordinary number of orphanages, many in rural areas, which had no access to these services and relied on donations to be able to provide food.

David began to organise a small group of volunteer doctors, dentists, oral health therapists and other support staff. And that is how CHAT was born, Children’s Health Aid Team. David was so proud of this organisation. A journalist writing an article about CHAT asked David what motivated him. His reply: “Helping others to learn, and passing on my experience and knowledge to others is important to me. Knowing that I am helping children who would otherwise not receive dental treatment is also important to me.”

I was privileged to have collaborated with David on many projects, one of which was the creation of the ‘Practical Oral Surgery course’, which is a continuing education program for general dentists. This year significantly marks the 20th anniversary of the course. Another project David and I worked on was involving the final-year dental students in the CHAT team visits to orphanages in Vietnam as an external option placement. Many of the students returned on subsequent trips after they had qualified as dentists, which gave David such a sense of gratification.  David was a man of intellect, integrity and compassion, with a great sense of humour, who achieved so much yet remained so extremely humble.

He was a keen West Coast Eagles supporter, and a dedicated Christian first and foremost; his religion was a very important part of his life. David was very much a family man and always made time for his immediate and wider family. He is survived by his three sons.

This year, David was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to dentistry. It was so well deserved.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS

1955-1959 Commonwealth University Scholarship

1960 American Society of Dentistry for Children’s Certificate

1973 Life Fellow International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

1980 Inaugural Professor KJG Sutherland Award for the best lecture given by a member of the Dental Study Group of WA

1986 Professor KJG Sutherland Award (Dental Study Group of WA) 1986 Fellow of the International College of Dentists

1991 Member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, for excellence in dental teaching 1992 Honorary Member University Dental Students’ Society

1995 Nominated by the Commonwealth Committee for the Advancement of University Teaching as one of the 5% of Australian Academics having an exemplary teaching practice

1995 Inaugural Fellow of the Faculty of Oral Pathologists of the Royal Australasian College of Pathologists of Australasia

2002 Life Fellow of the International Association for Dental Research

2002 Founder, Christian Health Aid Team of Western Australia Inc.  2007 Life Member of the Australian College of Educators

2009 Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International

2009 Finalist, Senior Western Australian of the Year

2014 Honorary Life Member Dental Study Group of WA

2022 Distinguished Service Award Australian Dental Association (WA) 2025 Awarded Medal of the Order of Australia

Written by: Dr Lena Lejmanoski

Colleague; co-collaborator; friend