Australian Dental Health Plan 2025 – a blueprint for a healthier Australia

The ADA is excited to launch an updated Australian Dental Health Plan (ADHP) for 2025.  

“The Australian Dental Health Plan is a blueprint for engaging with government decision makers, setting our advocacy agenda in coming years for the delivery and funding of oral health care in Australia,” said ADA President Dr Chris Sanzaro. 

“I encourage ADA members to read the updated plan, provide feedback, and support the ADA’s future advocacy efforts.  By working together, we can significantly improve oral health outcomes for all Australians.” 

Oral health is a vital component of overall health and wellbeing.  

This plan guides the delivery and funding of oral healthcare – it's a key policy tool outlining a vision for a government-supported dental care system. 

The ADHP focuses on the following opportunities: 

• Developing schemes to improve access to oral care, with an initial focus on demographics more susceptible to oral disease, especially seniors. 
  
  
• Extending preventive services under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), including in-hospital services provided under general anaesthesia. 
  
  
• Creating effective methods to educate Australians about the importance of oral health. 

The ADHP's proposed improvements to the CDBS, created as a direct result of groundbreaking ADA advocacy on children's oral health services, are particularly relevant during Dental Health Week with its focus on paediatric oral healthcare. A proposed 50% increase in the annual monetary limit (AML) proposed for children will ensure that more low-income families are able to access the vital dental services their children need for a lifetime of great oral health. 

Addressing oral health challenges is crucial for both individual and societal wellbeing. The ADHP will guide the ADA's advocacy efforts for years to come.  

We will keep you updated with our advocacy efforts to realise the ADHP in the coming year.