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2026 Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants now open for applications

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Australian Dental Association
Australian Dental Association
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9 February 2026
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2 minute read
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  • Grants and awards

If you’re an ADA member dentist or dental student with a passion for improving the oral health outcomes of disadvantaged groups throughout Australia, you can now apply for US$107,500 (approx. AU$121,386*) in funding.

Would you like to make a difference to the oral health of disadvantaged Australians?

If you’re an ADA member dentist or dental student with a passion for improving the oral health outcomes of disadvantaged groups throughout Australia, you can now apply for US$107,500 (approx. AU$155,462.52*) in funding through the Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants (the Grants).

The Grants are open for applications from Monday 9 February to Wednesday 15 April 2026.

The Grants, a joint initiative of the ADA Dental Health Foundation and Mars Wrigley Foundation, provide recipients with the funds to implement oral health community service, education, and preventative care in some of the highest risk and most in-need communities across Australia.

With more than US$1.1 million (approximately AU$1.59 million*) already invested over a decade in oral health screening, treatment and education, the Grants are offering 10 x US$8,450 grants (approx. AU$13,532*) this year for registered ADA member dentists or students.

The Grants have three main aims:

• To enable the delivery of oral health programs that provide sustained benefits – screening, treatment and education – for disadvantaged groups throughout Australia.

• To promote the work the dental community is doing to address oral health inequities faced by disadvantaged members of the Australian community; and

• To ensure Australia’s oral health outcomes continue to improve through better access, delivery and education.

* The exact amount distributed in AU$ may fluctuate with the exchange rate at the time of distribution

2025 recipients included:

Armasmile (NSW)

This project provides direct support to Aboriginal children, teens, and adults who live in socioeconomically disadvantaged rural areas throughout the New England Tablelands region of northern NSW. The youth target group mainly includes participants of contact sports like rugby league, AFL, union, hockey and soccer where dental injuries frequently occur. The target adult population consists mainly of Aboriginal people on low incomes who suffer from poor oral health due to tooth loss and decay which hinders their eating, speaking and social as well as cultural participation abilities.

Community Outreach Dental Clinic (SA)

The project primarily serves vulnerable populations in South Australia, with a focus on people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These individuals are among the most socially and economically disadvantaged groups in the country. Homelessness is strongly associated with adverse health, social, and economic outcomes (Fitzpatrick et al, 2013), and individuals in these circumstances carry a disproportionately high burden of oral disease. With rising living costs, rental stress, and increasing rates of homelessness across South Australia, access to essential dental care is becoming ever more out of reach.

Smart Smiles (VIC)

This project is designed to address a growing and urgent gap in oral health care among two of the most underserved and clinically vulnerable populations in Australia: older adults with neurodegenerative conditions and neurodiverse individuals residing in aged care settings. It specifically targets aged care residents living with conditions such as dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, many of whom also have neurodiverse traits and behavioural challenges which further complicate oral health routines. Aged care workers and registered nurses caring for these residents often lack the tools, time, and training to provide effective oral hygiene support.

Read the full list of past recipients, year-by-year