01 April 2026
World Oral Health Day Parliamentary Breakfast 2026
The ADAVB was thrilled to facilitate the VOHA World Oral Health Day (WOHD) breakfast at Parliament House in Victoria on 20 March in celebration of World Oral Health Day 2026. This event brought together leaders from across government, public health, and the broad depth of VOHA membership.
The theme of WOHD this year was ‘A Happy Mouth… is a Happy Life’ which recognises the integral role that oral health plays in maintaining overall wellbeing at all stages of life.
It was a pleasure to welcome:
- Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Health of Victoria
- Ms Georgie Crozier, Shadow Minister for Health of Victoria
- Dr Sarah Mansfield, Victorian Greens Spokesperson for Health
Alongside representatives from Oral Health Victoria, the Department of Health Victoria, and a wide range of VOHA member organisations.
Key Speakers & Highlights
Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas – Minister for Health of Victoria
The Minister reflected on the importance of investing early by supporting “the little people”, acknowledging the Government’s commitment to early intervention through programs such as Smiles 4 Miles, Healthy Smiles Healthy Families, and Smile Squad.
In line with the World Oral Health Day theme, the Minister acknowledged that oral health is integral at every stage of life and recognised the well established connections between oral health and general health outcomes. The Minister also mentioned the importance of water fluoridation and the Victorian government’s ongoing commitment to always recognise evidence, science and expert advice when shaping policy for Victorian’s health. She reinforced that oral health is essential at every stage of life, noting the well‑established links between oral health and general health.
Georgie Crozier – Shadow Minister for Health of Victoria
Georgie Crozier reinforced the vital role that the oral health sector plays in Victoria’s broader health landscape. She noted that our advocacy is necessary and valued, and assured attendees that the hard work of practitioners, community organisations, and advocates is not going unnoticed, and is deeply appreciated. Georgie also focused on the importance of prevention and how the leading cause of hospital admissions for under 10s is due to poor oral health and recognises that more work needs to be done in this space.
Dr Sarah Mansfield – Victorian Greens Spokesperson for Health
Dr Mansfield addressed one of the systemic issues in Victoria’s oral health landscape — the way the current health system still treats the mouth as separate from the body. She stressed the need to “put teeth back into the body” in policy, planning, and funding discussions. Dr Mansfield also highlighted priority areas including workforce capacity, salary structures, and the need for sustainable and expanded funding to meet community needs. Acknowledgement that there is still a high number of preventable dental hospitalisations across the age spectrum, noting 17,000 admissions due to dental-related disease in 2021.
Dr Tori Carter – Dentist & Public Oral Health Advocate
Dr Tori Carter (Vic and Tas State Co-ordinator for the ADA Dental Health Foundation) shared compelling realworld examples from her clinical experience as the Senior Dentist in a community health clinic in Melbourne, illustrating how poor oral health is shaped by access barriers, social stigma, and entrenched inequities. She reflected on the undeniable links between oral health and general health, calling for better alignment across services, policy, and community supports to improve outcomes for all Victorians.
Today’s strong cross‑sector presence reflected a shared commitment to building a healthier, more equitable future for Victorian communities.
