Hume Hygiene

Hume Hygiene was founded in 2004 out of a vision to foster leadership in the profession of dental hygiene. It is hoped that Hume Hygiene will be a catalyst for change and inspire other hygienists' and practices in rural areas throughout Australia to develop innovative projects for the benefit of the dental profession & the communities they serve.

Cathryn Carboon, the founder of Hume Hygiene, is a dental hygienist working in private practice in Wangaratta , Victoria. Cathryn has spent the past 16 years working as a hygienist in Australia , New Zealand and Germany . Hume Hygiene has been established as a result of a Women's Community Leadership Grant, Cathryn was honoured to receive, from the government Department for Victorian Communities. Hume Hygiene has also been generously supported by the Dental Hygienists' Association of Australia at both a national and state level. This support has been in conjunction with Colgate. The project aims to compliment the goals of the Association.

Vision

Foster leadership in the profession of dental hygiene.

Mission

Establishment of a rural network for dental hygienists in the Hume region of Victoria .

To benefit the dental practices where hygienists work and the communities they serve.

Objectives of Hume Hygiene

• Increase the exchange of leadership and practice management ideas within the dental hygiene profession.
• Provide an innovative professional women's network to breakdown the barrier of isolation felt by dental hygienists working in rural areas.
• Provide advocacy for improved preventive dental health services and resources in rural communities.
• Promote the profession of dental hygiene in rural areas, by raising the community's awareness of the role of a hygienist and the benefits of preventive dentistry.
• Develop initiatives with other local health care professionals to incorporate preventive dental health care into existing general health programs.

Process

The cornerstone of Hume Hygiene is its ability to develop long term partnerships with the myriad of stakeholders involved in the profession of dental hygiene. Hume Hygiene aims to foster opportunities for people involved in the fields of preventive dentistry and allied health to network together to achieve the outlined objectives.

It has become apparent from informal meetings that there is great interest in the Hume Hygiene project. Not only from hygienists' but also from dentists, therapists, assistants and practice managers from both private and public dental settings. Together with support from dental companies, educational institutions and public health care facilities. Hume Hygiene is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization that encourages the development of strategic alliances between all these groups. For the advancement of the profession of dental hygiene.

Hume Hygiene has been guided by the principles outlined in the publications “Promoting Oral Health 2000-2004. Strategic Directions and Framework for Action” and “Service Planning: Dental Services Hume Region” both published by the Department of Human Services.

Anyone interested in joining the Hume Hygiene network or finding out more information can contact:

Cathryn Carboon

161 Grossman Drive North Wangaratta Victoria 3678 Australia

Phone: (03) 57214451

Email: cathcarboon@bigpond.com