It is with great pleasure that we invite you to attend our next two-day, face-to-face ASTOT Symposium, ASTOT 2025, 'Tongue Tie and other Oral Ties across the Lifespan'. Held in Melbourne from 16 to 17 May, it is shaping up to be a great event.
Key DatesRegistration Open - NOW OPEN!!Abstracts Open - NOW OPEN!!Abstracts Close - 7th Febuary 2025Symposium Dates - 16-17 May 2025
Registration fees
Registration Type | 2 Day Registration | 1 Day Registrations |
ASTOT Member | EarlyBird - ASTOT Member $650.00 (inc gst)
(changes to $700.00 10/02/25) | ASTOT Member $410.00 (inc gst) |
Non Member | EarlyBird - NON-Member $860.00 (inc gst)(changes to $910.00 10/02/25) | NON-Member $480.00 (inc gst) |
Student | Students $420.00 (inc gst) | Students $370.00 (inc gst) |
Program
Collaborative Conversations: Tongue Tie and other Oral Ties across the Lifespan
Days at a GlanceThe 2025 ASTOT Symposium will be held over two days from the 16th to the 17th of May. The Program will run from 08:30 to 17:00 each day, with an optional dinner on the night of the 16th. Please see overview of Program below with further announcements, speakers and updates coming soon!
Day 1 - Friday 16th May | Session | Speakers |
Session 1: 0845-1030 | The Big Picture: Breastmilk/breastfeeding/TT and beyond | Mary Wlodek
Rebecca Hill |
Session 2: 1100-1310 |
Presentation of Tongue Tie Over the Ages | Raymond Tseng: Dental PerspectiveDavid Grayson: ENT PerspectiveDonna Akbari: Speech Perspective |
Session 3: 1400-1545 |
Restrictive Tongue Ties | Emma Necus:
Louise Duursma:
Natalie Moore: |
Session 4: 1615-1715 | 20 min Oral Abstract Presentations | From our 2025 submitted Abstracts |
Day 2 - Saturday 17th May | Session | Speakers |
Session 1: 0830-1015 | Ages & Aftercare | Raymond Tseng: Pre and post OP
Monica Hogan: Wound healing |
Session 2: 1045-1230 | Outcomes | Philip Hand: |
Session 3: 1345-1510 | Poster Presentations | From our 2025 submitted Abstracts |
Session 4: 1510-1545 | Panel & Closing Comments | ASTOT Board |
Call for Abstracts
ASTOT offers the opportunity to share information through evidence-based research and proven clinical experience to health professionals who seek to understand the nuances of TOT. We advocate for both safe and effective treatment for those who are affected by TOT and aim to provide resources and educational opportunities for the health care professionals who treat and rehabilitate individuals with TOT, as well as those who support and refer affected individuals.
Abstracts are due Febuary 7th 2025.
Venue
The 2025 ASTOT Symposium will be hosted at the RACV City Club. With over 100 years of tradition and experience, RACV Club has earned the esteem of generations as one of the finest Clubs in the world. Conveniently positioned in the heart of the Melbourne CBD at 501 Bourke Street, RACV Club features impressive conference and event facilities.
Accommodation
ASTOT 2025 are pleased to partner with RACV City Club and Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street to provide great delegate accommodation rates.
Accommodation bookings can be made directely with the accommodation provider via their own unique booking link. The booking link will be provided via email after you have registered.
RACV City Club
Stay on site at RACV City ClubStandard King Room from $249-$279 per night (room only).
Hilton Melbourne
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street (short work to venue)King Guest Room $285 per night (room only).
Speaker
Raymond Tseng
Dr. Ray Tseng is a pediatric dentist and owner of the NC Tongue Tie Center for research and clinical practice (Cary, North Carolina, USA). Dr. Tseng was a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded trainee throughout his professional training, and completed his DDS and PhD at The Ohio State University (USA), and post-doctoral research fellowship and pediatric specialty training at the University of North Carolina (USA). Dr. Tseng has actively engaged in clinical research and practice focused on tethered oral tissues (TOTs) for 6 years, and is passionate about collaborating with other clinician-scientists to further develop a scientifically sound evidence base to guide TOTs-focused clinical practices. Dr. Tseng is on the board of directors for the International Consortium for Ankylofrenulae Professionals (ICAP), and chairs ICAP’s scientific affairs committee. He holds adjunct faculty/adviser positions at the University of North Carolina (USA), and Curtin University (Perth, WA).
David Grayson
David is an Otolaryngologist at North Shore Hospital in Auckland, NZ. He is also Clinical Lead for Patient Safety & Patient Experience. David has a strong interest in innovative approaches for safer care as well as the use of social media to enhance digital and physical patient experiences.
Monica Hogan
Monica Hogan is a PhD Candidate in the School of Medicine & Psychology at Australian National University. Her research is focusing on Wound Healing and Breastfeeding Consequences post Tongue Tie Division. She has been involved in supporting families, mothers and babies for over 30 years and researching in tongue tie for over 20 years. Monica has a background as an Endorsed Midwife, Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Mary Wlodek
Professor Mary Wlodek (BSc(Hons), MSc, PhD; GAICD) is an inspirational research leader who makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of women, mothers and infants and aspiring scientists. She has been internationally recognised in Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) research. Her expertise informs global understanding of how early life environments impact lifelong health and disease risk. She is highly respected and an accomplished fundraiser (~$10million) and researcher (~200 publications). Mary was Professor of Physiology at University of Melbourne for 24 years where she held senior executive roles including as Deputy Dean, Melbourne School of Graduate Research; Coordinator Researcher Development; and Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Through “Wlodek Consulting”, she is highly sought after for career and grant/fellowship coaching and has delivered numerous career development workshops nationally/internationally. Mary’s commitment to mentoring has been recognised with prestigious awards at the university and by the Australian Government.
Donna Akbari
Donna completed her degree in Speech Pathology at The University of Sydney and now lives and works in Alice Springs. She is currently pursuing a PhD focused on ankyloglossia in Australia, with a particular interest in the diagnosis and management of the condition from the perspective of parents and families.With a strong passion for feeding and swallowing disorders across the lifespan, Donna’s experience spans acute care, and she is now dedicated to supporting adults with diverse diagnoses in their mealtime needs. Believing that feeding and mealtimes are central to joy and well-being, she is committed to guiding individuals and families through their feeding journeys.Donna is a strong advocate for equitable healthcare, particularly in rural and remote communities, ensuring that accessible, high-quality care is available to all.
Rebecca Hill
Rebecca R. Hill, PhD, DNP, FNP-C, FAAN Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate ProfessorMGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA. n Title
Dr. Rebecca Hill is a nurse researcher. Her research addresses assessment, screening, and potential treatment for ankyloglossia and its impact on breastfeeding. She has created rigorous clinical research with interdisciplinary collaborations that connect medicine, nursing, dentistry, and other practice areas engaged in the assessment and treatment of feeding difficulties and maternal-infant health. The importance and ongoing impact of this work was recently highlighted by Gerber Foundation funding to support this research; she is only the second nurse to receive funding from this foundation. She enjoys mentoring students in research and making new connections with those passionate about tethered oral tissues.