$10 million of smiles: ADA DHF celebrates a decade of impact

Established with a mandate to improve the oral health of Australians who cannot easily access or afford dental care, the ADA Dental Health Foundation has passed a crucial milestone, chalking up in excess of $10 million of pro bono dental services to a wide range of disadvantaged people.

In FY26 alone, ADA DHF enabled more than $1.06 million in treatment, delivered through 2,153 appointments across 266 participating dental practices nationwide. It also supported 81 Rebuilding Smiles® cases, helping survivors of domestic and family violence restore not only their oral health, but also their confidence, dignity and wellbeing. 

With programs such as Rebuilding Smiles, Dental Rescue Day and Adopt a Patient, which reach people from a range of disadvantaged backgrounds, the ADA DHF has succeeded in mission thanks to the hard work, dedication and generosity of volunteer dental professionals, supporters and community partners, laboratories and practices and clinics right across Australia.

While $10 million is an impressive figure, it represents far more than a dollar figure, representing thousands of Australians who have received treatment they might otherwise have missed out on, countless volunteer hours donated by dental teams, and stronger partnerships between the profession and the charities supporting vulnerable communities. 

ADA DHF National Manager, Rebecca McFarlane, said the achievement belongs to the entire dental profession.

“This milestone is a testament to what can be achieved when the profession comes together to support the communities it serves. Every dollar of impact represents someone who received badly needed dental care, and every smile restored reflects the generosity of volunteers who have given, and in many cases, continue to give their time, skills and compassion to help others.”

While there is a lot to be proud of after a decade of tremendous achievement, the focus remains firmly fixed on the future for everyone involved in the ADA DHF.

Recogising that demand continues to exceed the capacity currently in place to meet it and that there remains significant unmet oral health needs out in the wider Australian community, the ADA DHF is committed to working to ensure that the work of the foundation continues to grow so that fewer and fewer Australians fall through the gaps when it comes to oral healthcare.

It is looking ahead to the next ten million dollars of impact, encouraged by the dental professionals, practices, laboratories, sponsors, donors and community partners who have committed to playing a role in expanding access to essential oral health care for those who need it most, now and in the years ahead.