FEATURE #84 – Special Needs Dentistry & Oral Health Advocacy with Dr Trudy Lin

Hosted by Dr Erica Hwin Inclusivity, equitability, and community – these are the themes for this month’s Feature. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Trudy Lin, one of 25 Special Needs dentists in Australia and a passionate advocate for equitable access to oral health for all individuals, with her work and contributions granting her the SA Young Australian of the Year Award in 2022. In this conversation, Dr Trudy sheds light on her journey in specialising and how her mission has evolved over the years. We discuss her role within Citizen Advocacy, the story that led to her self-funding a Supported Independent Living Facility for those with special needs, becoming a mindset and leadership coach and a public speaker. Dentistry is stressful, and it’s easy to get caught up in our own little worlds. However, conversations like these are a great reminder for us to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Recognise the position that we are in, and consider the small little things that we can do so that others are able to experience the same opportunities that we do. Dr Trudy Lin Dr Trudy Lin, the Young Australian of the Year for South Australia in 2022, is one of only 25 specialists in Special Needs Dentistry in Australia. Trudy is involved in various national and international advocacy roles – including as President-Elect of the Australian New Zealand Academy of Specialists in Special Needs Dentistry and the Australasian representative of the International Advisory Committee for the International Association for Disability and Oral Health. Trudy is an honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Adelaide and on the Board of Studies for Special Needs Dentistry for the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.  In addition to her clinical practice, Trudy is a certified mindset and leadership coach and workshop facilitator of the SA Health Leading Clinicians program. She is the founder and director of Extra Mile Coaching, which specialises in mindset coaching for oral healthcare professionals who want to go the Extra Mile in their careers, for their patients, and for themselves.  July Giving Project – Esesson Foundation For our July Giving Project we’ll be supporting the Esesson Foundation’s Annual Gala Ball which is being held in Brisbane on Sat August 12th. This event will b