Rate My Professor Julie Satur

Professor Julie Satur is Professor of Oral Health and Head of Oral Health at the Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, where she has served since 1996. A pioneer in the field, she was the first dental therapist appointed as academic staff to an Australian university dental school and the first woman promoted to Professor on merit in the Melbourne Dental School. Satur graduated with a Diploma of Applied Science (Dental Therapy) from Melbourne in 1977, followed by 18 years in the Victorian School Dental Service encompassing clinical practice, management, and dental health education. She also served as Community Project Officer from 1993 to 1995, designing the Waverley Pilot Preschool Dental Program. Her academic qualifications include a PhD from Deakin University (2003) titled 'Australian dental policy reform and the use of dental therapists and hygienists,' a Master of Health Science (Health Promotion and Education) from Deakin (1998) on the Waverley Pilot Preschool Dental Program, and a Graduate Diploma in Health Education from Deakin (1994). Satur has been instrumental in transitioning dental therapy and hygiene education from certificate courses to the university-based Bachelor of Oral Health program, serving as its Course Coordinator, Honours Coordinator, and convener of courses in health promotion and community health studies.

Satur's research focuses on dental policy, oral health workforce regulation, policy, practice, and oral health promotion and evaluation. Her projects include examining parental influences on preschoolers' oral health and weight gain, the impact of oral health practitioners on dental practice, oral health promotion for people with mental illness, Horn of Africa migrants via ethnic radio, and capacity building for diabetic clients at community health services. Key publications comprise 'Models for individual oral health promotion and their effectiveness: a systematic review' (Australian Dental Journal, 2009), 'Patterns of dental therapists' scope of practice and employment in Victoria, Australia' (2009), and contributions to books such as 'Oral health and dental services' in Understanding the Australian Health Care System (2023). She holds editorial roles as Editor of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Dental and Oral Health Therapy and leadership positions including Chair of the Australia-Pacific Taskforce on Global Child Oral Health, member of Health Workforce Australia Professions Advisory Committee, and Australian Dental Council accreditation teams. Satur advises internationally, including for the US Government Accountability Office and University of Fiji. Her contributions extend to Indigenous oral health through partnerships like Miwatj Health Service in East Arnhem Land. In 2024, she received the ADOHTA Oral Health Practitioner of the Year Members’ Choice Award. Satur maintains clinical practice one day weekly in private orthodontics.