Presenters
Dr Harry Ball
Dentist
Fellow of Dental Sleep Medicine (ASA)
Past Co-chair dental sleep council
Fellow of Dental Sleep Medicine (ASA)
Past Co-chair dental sleep council
of the Australasian Sleep Association
Dr Ball left his general practice in Melbourne to work at the TMD clinic at the Royal Melbourne Dental Hospital. It was there that he started to see patients with snoring, sleep apnoea and TMD. In 2005 Dr Ball started Australia’s only dedicated dental sleep clinic, SleepWise Clinic.
The clinic has now treated over 16,000 patients with oral appliances for snoring sleep apnoea and bruxism. The patients are referred by sleep physicians, GP’s, ENT’s and other dentists.
Dr Ball is passionate about education and has presented seminars for the Australian Dental Association, the Australian Orthodontic Society, the Australian Sleep Association and Dental Health Services. He has also presented training seminars on dental management of sleep disorders to dentists in the United Kingdom, Holland, Belgium, Singapore and Malaysia.
He has also been involved in training programs for medical practitioners and trainee sleep physicians. Dr Ball is a past co-chair of the Dental Sleep Medicine division of the Australasian Sleep Association. He presented on dental sleep medicine at several Australian Dental Congresses and has recently passed the examination in the Fellowship of Dental Sleep Medicine in Australia.
A. Prof. Ramesh Balasubramaniam OAM
Oral Medicine Specialist
A. Prof Balasubramaniam graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Science from the University of Western Australia in 2000 and subsequently practiced general dentistry. In 2006, he completed a three-year training programme, which included a fellowship and a certificate in Orofacial Pain at the University of Kentucky under the direction of Professor Jeffrey Okeson. Whilst at the University of Kentucky, he also completed a Master of Science degree in Orofacial Pain for the research study on the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in fibromyalgia patients. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain.
Ramesh also underwent training in the field of Dental Sleep Medicine under the direction of Professor Donald Falace at the University of Kentucky. He has a special interest in Oral Appliance Therapy for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
In 2008, Ramesh completed specialist training in Oral Medicine as well as a fellowship in Interdisciplinary Geriatrics at the University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Professor Martin Greenberg. He was Chief Resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Oral Medicine. He was also awarded the Robert Shatnner Award for the most outstanding resident in Oral Medicine. He has special interests in the treatment of oral mucosal diseases.
Ramesh has numerous peer reviewed publications, has contributed to several chapters in various texts and co-edited the May 2008 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America on Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction. In addition, he has served as a reviewer for a number of peer-reviewed journals. Ramesh is also co-editor and co-author of a new authoritative comprehensive textbook titled “Contemporary Oral Medicine” to be published by Springer in 2018. He has been appointed Clinical Associate Professor at the School of Dentistry, University of Western Australia and is actively involved in undergraduate and graduate teaching and research.
Ramesh has lectured nationally and internationally in the areas of Orofacial Pain, Oral Diseases and Dental Sleep Medicine. He has membership in several organisations including the Australian Dental Association, and Australasian Sleep Association. He is a Fellow and president-elect of the Oral Medicine Academy of Australasia. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy for his contributions to the advancement of dentistry.
Ramesh has public appointments at the Perth Children’s Hospital and the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia. His private practice focuses on the treatment of Orofacial Pain, Oral Diseases and Dental Sleep Medicine.
Dr David Cunnington
Sleep Physician
Dr Cunnington is a specialist sleep physician delivering quality healthcare to clients with complex sleep problems and promoting sleep health through education, research and advocacy.
He is the director of Melbourne Sleep Disorders Centre, a multi-disciplinary sleep clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.
Dr Cunnington undertook training in sleep medicine both in Australia and in Boston at Harvard Medical School. In addition to training in sleep medicine, David has international qualifications in behavioural sleep medicine, using non-drug treatments to manage sleep.
Dr Cunnington has a passion for all things sleep, and with his breadth of experience and training, is devoted to helping to develop the field of sleep medicine as well as educating health care professionals and the public about sleep. He regularly appears in print, radio, TV and online media as an expert commentator on sleep, and is a regular national and international keynote speaker.
Dr Cunnington has completed a range of research projects in conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy, both independently and in collaboration with academic and industry partners, and has written numerous journal articles, editorials and book chapters.
Dr Edward Lee
Sleep Physician
Dr Lee is a Respiratory and Sleep Physician who has trained in Perth and Melbourne. He completed a fellowship in chronic ventilation and respiratory medicine from the Austin Hospital and Victorian Respiratory Support Service, in addition to his specialist training in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine.
With a keen interest in the diagnosis and management of sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, and parasomnias, Dr Lee is dedicated to providing the best care for his patients.
Dr Sam Talpis
Dentist
Dr Talpis completed his dental degree in Queensland graduating with a Bachelor of Oral Health and a Graduate Diploma of Dentistry. He has a special interest in dental sleep medicine and temporomandibular disorders.
Dr Talpis has completed a Craniofacial pain clinical residency program at the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain in the USA, a Sleep Residency in San Diego and has recently passed the examination in the Fellowship of Dental Sleep Medicine in Australia.
Working in close conjunction with sleep physicians, ENT surgeons and sleep psychologists, Dr Talpis believes the quality of your sleep has a dramatic impact on your health, well-being and overall quality of life.
Dr Ken Lee
Dentist
Dr Lee has a Master’s degree in Dentistry, a Graduate Diploma in Orthodontics and has recently passed the examination in the Fellowship of Dental Sleep Medicine in Australia. He has limited his practice to the field of dental sleep medicine and is a clinical director at SleepWise Clinic.
He utilises the latest clinical protocols and proven research to provide the most effective treatment, he believes in the importance of working closely as a multi-disciplinary team with Sleep Physicians and ENTs.
With a Masters of Dentistry, years of private practice experience and has been an active member of the Royal Flying Doctors Service, Dr Lee is passionate about improving health outcomes of patients with leading technology in the field of snoring and sleep apnoea.
Dr Lee has a strong focus on helping people prioritise their wellbeing and health and constantly aims to deliver treatment with integrity, respect, comfort and care.
Mr Eduard Pudel
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist
Mr Pudel is a highly trained and experienced Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist with a special interest in Paediatric ENT, Rhinology including Rhinoplasty, and Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. He achieved Fellowship in OHNS Advanced Training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Melbourne, Australia, and further honed his skills through a year-long employment at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he specialized in Head and Neck tumour surgery.
With over a decade of experience in the field, Dr Pudel has been on staff at two major hospitals, Monash Cancer Centre and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, in addition to his busy private practice. He is dedicated to staying current in his field, regularly participating in courses, symposiums, and training seminars to update his qualifications.
Dr Pudel has also been a part of ENT surgical missions to Fiji on behalf of Israel and with his broad range of skills and expertise, Dr Pudel is committed to providing the highest level of care to his patients.
Dr Sanjivan Kandasamy
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist
Dr Kandasamy is a renowned orthodontist with a wealth of experience and expertise in the field. He completed his dental degree at the University of Western Australia in 1998 and spent the next three years working in various dental practices and institutions, including the Perth Dental Hospital, the Government Dental Health Services, and the Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health. He went on to complete his specialist orthodontics degree at the University of Melbourne and was admitted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
In 2006, Dr. Kandasamy joined a group specialist private orthodontic practice in Midland and later established his own practice, West Australian Orthodontics, in 2016. He is one of only nine orthodontists in the world who has been admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons in the Special Field of Orthodontics.
Dr. Kandasamy has been actively involved in teaching and research in orthodontics. He has been a Clinical Tutor, Clinical Senior Lecturer, and Clinical Associate Professor at the Dental School, University of Western Australia, and is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at Saint Louis University. He has received numerous accolades for his research, including the P Raymond Begg Research Award in 2016. He is also a reviewer for several leading orthodontic journals and an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
Dr. Kandasamy has published numerous articles and is the editor of the world’s only textbook on Orthodontics and Temporomandibular Dysfunction. He has a keen interest in temporomandibular dysfunction, occlusion and orthodontics, and has lectured both nationally and internationally on these subjects. His expertise and commitment to providing high-quality orthodontic care have earned him a reputation as one of the leading orthodontists in the world.
Dr Andrew Gikas
Dentist
Dr Gikas holds a Bachelor of Dental Science degree from the University of Melbourne, which he received in 1991. With over two decades of experience, he has established a well-respected dental practice in Oakleigh and nearby communities, providing personalized and quality care to patients.
In addition to his clinical practice, Andrew plays an active role in the dental community. He serves as a Clinical Tutor at the University of Melbourne and as a board member of the Australasian Sleep Association. He is also a valuable member of various committees within the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch, where he has been elected to the Council in 2012 and served as Branch President (2016-2017).
Andrew has a passion for oral health promotion and is recognised for his contributions to the dental profession. He has received multiple awards and honours and continues to be engaged in clinical research and lecturing. With expertise in general dentistry and dental sleep medicine, Andrew is dedicated to providing the best possible care to his patients.
As a public and private practitioner in Melbourne, and a VMO at the Alfred Hospital, Andrew continues to make a significant impact on the dental community. He sits on the Dental Education & Training Committee and the Nominations & Remunerations Committee and was recently elected to the Federal Council in 2020 and Federal Executive in 2022.
Dr Frank Cahill
Sleep Psychologist
Dr Gikas is a clinical psychologist with a specialisation in treating sleep disorders. He holds a doctorate degree in counselling psychology and has over 20 years of experience helping individuals overcome a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, phobias, trauma, and insomnia.
As a trained Cognitive Behavioural therapist, Schema therapist, and EMDR therapist, Frank employs a multi-faceted approach to support his clients in regaining their confidence in sleeping well. His passion for helping people overcome sleep-related issues is evident in his dedication to continuing education, training and supervision of the next generation of sleep psychologists.
Frank’s broad experience, coupled with his expertise in sleep disorders, makes him a valuable asset to his clients.