Malaysian Dental Health Foundation (MDHF)

Dr Gavin Quek – Founder and Chair, Malaysian Dental Health Foundation (MDHF)

Dr Gavin Quek is a dentist who graduated from the University of Adelaide, with a strong interest in the integration of oral health within broader healthcare systems.

During his time in Australia, he was actively involved in professional organisations and policy work, most notably serving as Chair of the National Oral Health Committee under the Australian Dental Association (ADA). In this role, he contributed to national-level discussions and initiatives aimed at improving oral health outcomes and strengthening the role of dentistry within the wider healthcare landscape.

Alongside this, he has held governance and advisory roles across multiple organisations, including serving as a Board Member of the ADA's Dental Health Foundation (Australia), Director of Volunteering Tasmania, Board Member of the Australian Red Cross (Tasmania), and National Councillor of Australian Red Cross - contributing to strategic direction, governance, and community-focused initiatives at both state and national levels.

He has also been recognised as the Australian Dental Association’s Outstanding Young Dentist (2025), and was awarded Tasmania’s Young Achiever of the Year (2023) and Hobart's Young Citizen of the Year (2023) for his contributions to oral health advocacy and community service.

Alongside clinical practice, Dr Quek has been engaged in education, professional development, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a particular focus on the relationship between oral health and systemic health.

His experiences working within structured healthcare systems and established not-for-profit environments in Australia have informed his approach to building initiatives grounded in accountability, governance, and long-term impact

Gavin's work is guided by a simple principle: to contribute meaningfully where possible, and to continue learning along the way.