Oral health is deeply connected to overall wellbeing, yet it remains one of the most overlooked areas of healthcare. Many Australians struggle to access dental care, and for those experiencing financial hardship, oral diseases can lead to severe health and social consequences.
At the University of Sydney, philanthropy is driving a bold new vision for change. Through the generosity of Sue and Alex Abrahams and The Rosebrook Foundation, the Chair of Lifespan Oral Health was established to address systemic issues in oral health policy, prevention, and accessibility. Now led by Associate Professor Ankur Singh, the Chair is pioneering new approaches to oral health research, advocacy, and education, ensuring that prevention becomes a national priority.
From dentistry to philanthropy
For Dr Alex Abrahams (BDS ’82), a lifelong commitment to dentistry began with an unexpected twist. “I got into dentistry because I failed to get into medicine,” he admits with a chuckle. But as his career progressed, he quickly realised he was exactly where he was meant to be.
Alex built Pacific Smiles Group, one of Australia’s largest networks of dental clinics, on the principle of patient-centred care – ensuring that people could access treatment when and where they needed it. But over time, he recognised a bigger issue: the focus on treatment over prevention was leading to unnecessary suffering and avoidable health costs.
He recalls a pivotal conversation at a University of Sydney event, where he discussed the decline of preventive dentistry in Australia. “We know what the problem is. The challenge is communicating it and making prevention a national priority,” he says. “The fact remains, $1 now on prevention will save us $10 on restoration. So why aren’t we doing that?”
By funding the Chair of Lifespan Oral Health, Alex and his wife Sue’s goal is clear – they want to support research that influences government policy and improves oral health for all Australians, ensuring preventative measures are in place so unnecessary funds aren’t spent on treatment.
From dentistry to philanthropy
For Dr Alex Abrahams (BDS ’82), a lifelong commitment to dentistry began with an unexpected twist. “I got into dentistry because I failed to get into medicine,” he admits with a chuckle. But as his career progressed, he quickly realised he was exactly where he was meant to be.
Alex built Pacific Smiles Group, one of Australia’s largest networks of dental clinics, on the principle of patient-centred care – ensuring that people could access treatment when and where they needed it. But over time, he recognised a bigger issue: the focus on treatment over prevention was leading to unnecessary suffering and avoidable health costs.
He recalls a pivotal conversation at a University of Sydney event, where he discussed the decline of preventive dentistry in Australia. “We know what the problem is. The challenge is communicating it and making prevention a national priority,” he says. “The fact remains, $1 now on prevention will save us $10 on restoration. So why aren’t we doing that?”
By funding the Chair of Lifespan Oral Health, Alex and his wife Sue’s goal is clear – they want to support research that influences government policy and improves oral health for all Australians, ensuring preventative measures are in place so unnecessary funds aren’t spent on treatment.
From dentistry to philanthropy
For Dr Alex Abrahams (BDS ’82), a lifelong commitment to dentistry began with an unexpected twist. “I got into dentistry because I failed to get into medicine,” he admits with a chuckle. But as his career progressed, he quickly realised he was exactly where he was meant to be.
Alex built Pacific Smiles Group, one of Australia’s largest networks of dental clinics, on the principle of patient-centred care – ensuring that people could access treatment when and where they needed it. But over time, he recognised a bigger issue: the focus on treatment over prevention was leading to unnecessary suffering and avoidable health costs.
He recalls a pivotal conversation at a University of Sydney event, where he discussed the decline of preventive dentistry in Australia. “We know what the problem is. The challenge is communicating it and making prevention a national priority,” he says. “The fact remains, $1 now on prevention will save us $10 on restoration. So why aren’t we doing that?”
By funding the Chair of Lifespan Oral Health, Alex and his wife Sue’s goal is clear – they want to support research that influences government policy and improves oral health for all Australians, ensuring preventative measures are in place so unnecessary funds aren’t spent on treatment.
Why prevention matters
Dr Alex Abrahams is passionate about prevention over treatment. “We could eliminate 90 percent of dentistry by preventing problems before they happen,” he says. “But the system is built around procedures – treating problems rather than stopping them in the first place.”
One of the major challenges is raising awareness. “The Child Dental Benefits Scheme for example, many people don’t know about it,” Alex says. “We need national campaigns to educate the public, just like we’ve done with smoking, melanoma, and heart disease.”
Ankur agrees, adding that prevention must be prioritised across all stages of life. “There’s a lot of focus on early childhood oral health,” he says, “but once people enter adulthood, they’re largely left on their own.”
This is particularly alarming as Australia’s population ages. “Older adults often struggle with oral health issues that impact their nutrition, their confidence, and their overall health,” Ankur explains. “We need lifelong strategies, not just early interventions.”
