Why Choose Health Equity College

 ​Winthrop Professor Marc Tennant AM is a distinguished Australian dental academic renowned for his contributions to public health, particularly in addressing oral health disparities among marginalized communities. He serves as the Director and Founder of the International Research Collaborative – Oral Health and Equity (IRCOHE.net), an i

 ​Winthrop Professor Marc Tennant AM is a distinguished Australian dental academic renowned for his contributions to public health, particularly in addressing oral health disparities among marginalized communities. He serves as the Director and Founder of the International Research Collaborative – Oral Health and Equity (IRCOHE.net), an initiative dedicated to promoting equitable access to dental care across Australia. ​

Professor Tennant's academic journey began at the University of Western Australia (UWA), where he earned both his Bachelor of Dental Science and his Doctorate in Anatomy. He has since held various academic positions at UWA, contributing significantly to the university's research and teaching missions. ​

With over two decades of experience in dental public health, Professor Tennant has been instrumental in reshaping the landscape of dentistry in Australia. His work focuses on reducing health inequalities and improving access to dental services for underserved populations. 

In recognition of his impactful work, Professor Tennant was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), honoring his significant service to dentistry and public health.​

 Professor  Estie Kruger is an Associate Professor in the School of Allied Health at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and serves as the Director of the International Research Collaborative – Health and Equity. She holds a Bachelor of Dental Science (BChD) and a Master of Community Dentistry (MChD) from Stellenbosch University in 

 Professor  Estie Kruger is an Associate Professor in the School of Allied Health at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and serves as the Director of the International Research Collaborative – Health and Equity. She holds a Bachelor of Dental Science (BChD) and a Master of Community Dentistry (MChD) from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and earned her PhD in Dental Public Health from UWA in 2016.

With over 25 years of experience in academic dentistry, Dr. Kruger has held positions as a Research Fellow at UWA and as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Her research focuses on dental epidemiology, digital health, rural and remote dental health, oral health inequalities, oral health policy and strategy, accessibility, dental education, and the use of Geographic Information Systems in health service planning and management.

Dr. Kruger is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists (FICD) and a Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in the Specialty of Dental Public Health (MRACDS (DPH)). She has been recognized with multiple awards for her excellence in teaching and research, including the Vice Chancellor's Mid-Career Research Award in 2023

 Dr. Yulia Shiikha is a multidisciplinary researcher and innovator based in Perth, Western Australia. She currently serves as a Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia (UWA) and as an AI Specialist at Component6, where she integrates artificial intelligence into healthcare and operational systems. ​

Dr. Shiikha's academic ba

 Dr. Yulia Shiikha is a multidisciplinary researcher and innovator based in Perth, Western Australia. She currently serves as a Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia (UWA) and as an AI Specialist at Component6, where she integrates artificial intelligence into healthcare and operational systems. ​

Dr. Shiikha's academic background includes a Bachelor of Dental Science (BDSc), a Master of Science (MSc), a PhD in Medical science, and an MBA. Her research focuses on health equity, rural workforce development, and digital health innovation. She has co-authored studies on the distribution of dental and general practitioner services in Australia, utilizsng Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and social network analysis to address healthcare accessibility in underserved regions. ​

In addition to her research, Dr. Shiikha has contributed to the development of AI-driven tools aimed at enhancing daily life and healthcare delivery. Notably, she led a project on an Automated Weekly Planner designed to streamline task management and information retrieval. ​

Dr. Shiikha's work exemplifies a commitment to bridging technology and healthcare to improve outcomes for diverse populations.