The South Australian Oral Health Plan 2019 - 2026 is the South Australian Government framework for oral health action in South Australia. 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 is to guide coordinated action that contributes to improved oral health for people living in South Australia (SA).
The development of this Plan 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 Michele Smith OAM has been appointed as the incumbent chairperson for the SA Oral Health Alliance (formerly known as the SA Oral Health Plan Monitoring Group) with secretariat support provided by SA Dental, since 1 August 2024 and ended her term on 19 February 2026. Under Michele Smith’s guidance, the SA Oral Health Alliance has made significant strides highlighted below and in the SA Oral Health Plan Progress Report (PDF 332KB).
Key achievements of the SA Oral Health Alliance (SAOHA) 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 SAOHA and WGs include (not limited to):
Helen Connolly has been appointed as the incumbent chairperson for the SA Oral Health Alliance and started her term on 20 February 2026. The alliance looks forward to working with Hellen Connolly to effectively oversee and enhance ongoing initiatives under the current SA Oral Health Plan and progress the development of the next plan.