Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease globally, in all age groups. It has considerable consequences for individuals’ and families’ wellbeing, health and quality of life, and is costly for patients and their family, health systems and society.
Although oral health within Aotearoa New Zealand has considerably improved over time, approximately one in three people have untreated coronal caries. Dental caries is one of the leading causes of preventable hospital admissions for our children. A small, but not unsubstantial, proportion of young adults present to hospital emergency departments with infections of dental origin, some of which are life-threatening. Among our care-dependent older people, over half have untreated coronal caries and one in three have untreated root caries.
There is significant and persistent inequality in oral health outcomes for Māori, Pacific peoples, people with disability, people dependent on others for their oral care, and those on fixed and low incomes, or living in rural areas.
The Oral Health National Clinical Network is dedicated to ensuring equitable and high-quality oral health outcomes for all by:
- providing national clinical leadership and expertise to oversee the strategic direction, priorities and work programme for publicly-funded oral health services
- supporting the delivery of consistent quality of care, and the removal of unwarranted variation in access and outcomes across the country
- informing investments and national workforce planning.
The Network will develop and maintain systems to monitor progress towards these goals and objectives.
The timeline and priorities for the Network will be set by a work programme focussed on equity and population health gain.
Change will be through the development of innovative, equity-driven, efficient, and evidence-based solutions including national standards, models of care, and workforce initiatives.
These solutions will be informed by national and international evidence, and by the lived experiences of people receiving oral health services and the priorities identified by IMPBs and communities.
The Network will support workforce development initiatives that foster a clinically and culturally competent, safe, and diverse workforce.
The Network will work with relevant national, regional, and local stakeholders to identify and agree implementation of care and services required at different levels, who should provide these services, and how the services should be delivered. The network will work alongside iwi, Hauora Māori providers, Māori oral health services, and equity-focused groups to align these priorities, policy and service delivery with Māori health aspirations.
Our network members
Name |
Role |
Location |
Kathryn Fuge |
Network Co-lead |
Wellington |
Leeann Waaka |
Network Co-lead |
Bay of Plenty / Te Manawa Taki |
Abbey Corbett |
Specialist Paediatric Dentist |
Canterbury / Te Wai Pounamu |
Anna Dawson |
General Dentist & Service Clinical Director |
Auckland |
Daniel Sundaresan |
Special Needs Dentist |
Waikato / Te Manawa Taki |
Douglas Healey |
Manager Digital ICT Hauora Maori Services |
Auckland |
Heuiwon (Chris) Han |
Lecturer (AUT) & Clinician (ARDS - Te Whatu Ora) & Community Engagement Director (NZOHA) |
Auckland |
John Thompson |
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologist |
Auckland |
Juliet Gray |
Specialist Care Dentist |
Canterbury / Te Wai Pounamu |
Kura Lacey |
Lecturer in Hauora Māori, University of Otago, Dentist |
Canterbury / Te Wai Pounamu |
Margaret Clark |
Dentist - Ora Toa |
Porirua – Capital & Coast |
Philip Sussex |
Clinical Director COHS Nelson Marlborough & Nelson Hospital Dentist |
Nelson |
Rena O’Connell |
Service Manager, Dental Therapist |
Lakes / Te Manawa Taki |
Sene Ioane |
Senior Dental Officer (Special Care) |
Canterbury / Te Wai Pounamu |
Stella Marshall |
Advanced Oral Health Therapist |
Wellington |
Meet our Co-leads
Kathryn Fuge
Kathryn Fuge


Kathy Fuge
Kathy is a dental public health specialist and clinical leader with significant experience in the health sector. She has over 20 years clinical experience in settings that include hospital, community, private practice and mobile surgical services. Kathy is currently the Clinical Director for the Wellington Regional Dental Service at Hutt Valley, a role she has held since 2014. She has extensive experience in health leadership, health governance and service improvement. Kathy holds a number of leadership roles in Clinical Governance including Executive member of the Oral Health Clinical Advisory Network (OHCAN). Kathy has a strong focus on addressing inequalities, cultural competency, cultural safety and Hauora Māori.
Leeann Waaka (Ngāpuhi)
Leeann Waaka (Ngāpuhi)
Leeann brings nearly two decades of experience and expertise in Dental Therapy and Oral Health, underpinned by a set of core values deeply grounded in her cultural heritage. Central to her approach is the recognition of interconnectedness, the importance of whānau and the significance of community. Her dedication lies in advancing oral health outcomes for both Māori and non-Māori communities and she is driven by a profound commitment to fostering wellness and wellbeing. Since 2021, Leeann has held the position of Clinical Lead Dental Therapist at Health New Zealand |Te Whatu Ora | Hauora-a-Toi. Leeann also holds the role of Tumaki (Chairperson) at Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Māori Dental Association, alongside her work with Ngā Mōkai o Ngā Whetū - the Māori Oral Health student association.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Oral Health National Clinical Network, please email nationaloralhealthnetwork@tewhatuora.govt.nz