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The South Australian Oral Health Plan 2019 - 2026 is the South Australian Government framework for oral health action in South Australia for the next seven years.
The South Australian Oral Health Plan 2019 - 2026 is the South Australian Government framework for oral health action in South Australia for the next seven years. It provides an overview of the current oral health status of South Australians, including priority populations, and identifies key action areas to address the oral health needs of the population.
This Plan builds on both the foundations and achievements of the inaugural Plan released in 2010 and provides the South Australian context for the goals and principles of Healthy Mouths – Healthy Lives, Australia’s National Oral Plan 2015-2024.
A healthy mouth is fundamental to overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. It enables people to eat, speak and socialise without pain, discomfort or embarrassment. Poor oral health can interfere with daily function, impacts on social interactions and work productivity and is associated with a number of health problems and conditions.
Whilst oral health has improved in recent decades for many South Australians, the evidence shows there are still significant inequities in our community and areas of unmet need remain. The purpose of this Plan for the next seven years is to guide coordinated action that contributes to improved oral health.
The development of this Plan has incorporated two consultation phases which included the public as well as the dental, wider health and community sectors. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and in doing so shaped and influenced the Plan.
Ms Jenny Richter AM has been chairperson of the Monitoring Group with secretariat support provided by SA Dental for the last 3 years and ended her term on 31 July 2024. Under Ms Richter’s guidance, the Monitoring Group has made significant strides highlighted below and in the SA Oral Health Plan Progress Report (PDF 332KB).
Key achievements of the Monitoring Group and 3 Working Groups (WG); Rural and Remote Oral Health Workforce WG, Frail Older Persons Expert WG and Child Dental Benefits Schedule WG in the last year and ongoing partnership with members of the MG and WGs include (not limited to):
Ms Michele Smith has been appointed as the incumbent chairperson for the SA Oral Health Plan Monitoring Group and started her term on 1 August 2024. The group looks forward to working with Ms Michele Smith OAM to continue to progress the SA Oral Health Plan.