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.
South Australia’s Oral Health Plan Monitoring Group was established in 2021 to drive coordinated action in pursuit of the SA Oral Health Plan 2019 — 2026. The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has appointed Ms Jenny Richter, AM, as Chair of the collaborative, cross-discipline group which includes representatives from the public, private, aged care, and education sectors; oral health professional bodies and consumers.
The group has identified four initial priority areas for 2022 for coordinated action to support the implementation of the Plan. The group also recognises that the oral health and broader sectors all have a role to play in improving the oral health of South Australians, and tracking progress is a key function of the group.
The Monitoring Group will develop an annual report for the Minister advising on work in progress that supports the objectives of the Oral Health Plan.
