Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants unveil this year's recipients

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 Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants (the Grants), a joint initiative of the ADA Dental Health Foundation (ADA DHF) 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.

The Grants program continues to play a key role in shifting the needle on oral health outcomes for groups without equitable access to dental health services. Running the gamut from groups which deliver oral health education and preventive care to underserved groups such as Aboriginal communities and culturally & linguistically diverse populations through to people like with motor neurone disease and cerebral palsy, the Grants’ recipients are instrumental in tackling oral health issues affecting many rural and remote communities and disadvantaged groups.

Now in its 15th year, the ADA DHF, in partnership with the Mars Wrigley Foundation *, has awarded US$107,500 (approx. AU$155,462.52*) this year in funding to the following 10 projects:

Boodja Smiles (WA): Improving oral health through a community co-designed oral health care model for children in the Shire of Mundaring, Western Australia 

Boodja Smiles builds on the University of Western Australia’s From Clinics to Communities: Oral Health Promotion for Vulnerable Cohorts program, established in 2019 with ADHF Healthier Smiles Community Service Grant. Embedded within the Doctor of Dental Medicine curriculum through the DENT3008 Dental Public Health unit, the program provides a sustainable, student-led model of community outreach.

Through this initiative, DMD students deliver oral health education and preventive care to underserved groups, including children, Aboriginal communities, culturally and linguistically diverse populations, international students, and people experiencing homelessness. The program has successfully integrated experiential learning into the curriculum, strengthened long-term community partnerships, and enhanced students’ skills in culturally responsive care and addressing the social determinants of health.

Building on this foundation, Boodja Smiles adopts a targeted, place-based approach focused on children in the Mundaring Shire. The project combines community-based screening and triage with a hub-and-spoke referral model that connects children to comprehensive and specialist care when needed. By integrating prevention, early detection and treatment, Boodja Smiles strengthens care coordination, improves access to services, and provides a scalable model for community-engaged paediatric oral health care.

Griffith University Cherbourg Dental Outreach (QLD)

The Cherbourg Dental Outreach Program is a student-led initiative delivered by fourth- and fifth-year Griffith University dental students in partnership with the Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal and Islander Community Controlled Health Services (CRAICCHS). Serving the remote Aboriginal community of Cherbourg, where access to public dental care is limited, the program provides free, culturally appropriate dental services directly within the community.

Originally established in 2013 and re-established in 2024 following COVID-19 disruptions, the program has grown into a coordinated outreach model that combines clinical care, oral health education and community engagement. In 2025, a team of 11 dental students, supported by supervising clinicians, delivered more than $25,000 worth of treatment to 54 patients across 3.5 clinical days, transforming GP consulting rooms into fully functioning dental clinics. Services included examinations, radiographs, preventive care, restorations and extractions.

Beyond the clinic, the team delivered oral health education at Cherbourg State School and a local aged care facility. By working closely with CRAICCHS, the program improves access to care, strengthens community trust and provides valuable learning experiences for future oral health professionals. In 2026, the program aims to expand its clinical capacity and reach even more community members in need.

Early Years Oral Health Integration Project: Establishing Sustainable Education in Disadvantaged Communities (VIC)

Early Years Oral Health Integration project aims to improve the oral health of preschool-aged children in Doveton and Dandenong, two of Victoria’s most disadvantaged communities, through a sustainable, early intervention model centred on early childhood professionals (ECPs). Recognising the influential role ECPs play in shaping health behaviours, the program focuses on building their knowledge, confidence and capacity to embed oral health promotion into everyday learning environments.

Through training workshops, practical resources and ongoing support, ECPs will be equipped to integrate oral health education into daily routines using storytime, music and play-based learning activities. Children will also receive oral health packs to strengthen connections between early learning centres and home, supporting parents to reinforce positive oral health behaviours.

Building on a successful first phase in Moe and Morwell, the project introduces several enhancements informed by participant feedback. These include a pilot in-service training model delivered directly within 10 centres, the development of on-demand video and audio learning modules for time-poor educators, and new resources to help ECPs engage families more effectively. Together, these innovations aim to strengthen early oral health education, increase family engagement, and create lasting improvements in children's oral health outcomes.

Specialised dental surgical equipment for treating people with cerebral palsy (NSW)

Cerebral Palsy Alliance Dental Clinic has provided specialised dental care to people with cerebral palsy and related disabilities for more than 75 years. Throughout its history, the clinic has remained committed to delivering high-quality, accessible care by investing in modern equipment and adapting its services to meet the complex and diverse needs of its community.

The clinic plays a vital role in improving access to dental treatment for patients who often face significant barriers to care, ensuring they receive services in a supportive and specialised environment. Maintaining contemporary equipment is essential to delivering safe, effective and patient-centred care, particularly for individuals with complex physical, medical and behavioural needs.

Long-standing support through the ADA DHF Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants program has been instrumental in helping the clinic maintain and enhance its service delivery. Funding has enabled the implementation of best-practice clinical systems and the timely replacement or upgrade of essential equipment. Through the Healthier Smiles Community Service Grant, the clinic is able to modernise key pieces of equipment, ensuring patients continue to benefit from contemporary treatment options and the highest standard of care. This ongoing investment supports better clinical outcomes, enhances patient comfort and experience, and helps ensure the clinic can continue meeting the needs of the cerebral palsy community for years to come.

Healthy Smiles Across the Miles (SA)

Healthy Smiles Across the Miles project improves access to essential oral health care for people living in the remote South Australian communities of Streaky Bay and Ceduna, where geographic isolation, financial disadvantage and lengthy public dental waiting lists often prevent timely treatment. The program delivers free monthly dental services, providing preventive care, restorative treatment and oral health education to community members who might otherwise go without care.

Priority populations include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, low-income families, older adults, people living with disability or chronic health conditions, and residents of remote and isolated areas. These groups experience disproportionately high rates of untreated dental disease and face significant barriers to accessing services, including cost, distance and limited transport options.

A key feature of the program is the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), a non-invasive treatment that can arrest early tooth decay and reduce the need for more complex procedures. This approach is particularly valuable for children, older adults and patients with limited access to ongoing dental care. By combining treatment, prevention and education, the project helps reduce the burden of oral disease, improve oral health knowledge and deliver practical, community-based solutions to some of South Australia’s most underserved populations.

Project Say it with a Smile (QLD)

Project Say it With a Smile has significantly expanded its impact through support from the 2024 and 2025 ADA DHF Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants. Funding has enabled the creation and distribution of more than 2,500 oral hygiene kits, providing children and families with practical resources to support healthy oral health habits beyond the classroom.

Since commencing in January 2024, the program has delivered oral health education to more than 2,500 students through 82 workshops conducted across 12 schools, 12 kindergartens and three community groups. These sessions focus on building oral health knowledge at an early age, encouraging preventive behaviours and promoting lifelong healthy habits.

The project has also established strong partnerships with the West Moreton and Darling Downs Public Health Network, strengthening the integration of oral health within broader health promotion activities. As a result, the team has been invited to participate in the Maternity and First 2000 Days Symposium in 2024, 2025 and 2026, engaging with healthcare professionals to improve maternal and paediatric health outcomes. Extending its reach beyond local communities, the program has also supplied oral health kits to remote areas and Aboriginal communities, including Boggabilla and Toomelah, helping improve access to oral health education and preventive resources for populations that experience significant barriers to care.

SMART SMILES-Improving Oral Health Education, Screening and Preventive Resources for People Living with Motor Neurone Disease (VIC)

The Smart Smiles Initiative is a community-based oral health program designed to improve the wellbeing of people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and the carers, aged care staff and health professionals who support them. Due to progressive physical limitations and reduced mobility, people with MND often face significant challenges maintaining oral hygiene and accessing timely dental care, increasing their risk of oral disease and related complications.

The program will deliver eight structured oral health education sessions, equipping carers and healthcare professionals with practical skills in daily oral hygiene, denture care, dry mouth management, and the early recognition of oral health problems. Two Community Oral Health Days will further support participants through oral health demonstrations, preventive advice, informal screenings and the distribution of tailored oral health care kits, helping to reduce barriers to care and encourage early intervention.

A key focus of the initiative is sustainability. Practical educational resources and demonstration materials will be developed for ongoing use, while a telehealth screening tool will support remote monitoring and early identification of oral health concerns for individuals with limited mobility. Together, these activities create a preventative, scalable and person-centred model that improves access to oral health support, strengthens caregiver capability and enhances quality of life for people living with MND.

Smiles Within SIGHT (Support, Inclusion, Guidance, Health, Transitions), Beyond Borders: A Community Oral Health Education and Access-Navigation Program for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (VIC)

Smiles Within SIGHT aims to improve oral health outcomes among people seeking asylum in Victoria by combining culturally responsive education, early identification of oral disease, and practical support to navigate the public dental system. Delivered in partnership with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), the program addresses common barriers to care, including limited oral health knowledge, language challenges and difficulties accessing services.

The initiative will provide multilingual oral health education workshops covering oral hygiene, the link between oral and general health, diet and sugar consumption, tobacco cessation, child oral health, and pathways to free public dental care. Participants will also be offered brief visual oral health examinations to identify urgent or unmet dental needs and facilitate timely referrals to appropriate services.

A key feature of the program is its focus on sustainability. Participants requiring care will receive personalised referral support, including translated information and assistance accessing priority public dental pathways. In addition, two ASRC bicultural workers will undertake specialised Oral Health Champion training, enabling them to continue promoting oral health and supporting referrals beyond the grant period. The project will also develop a permanent multilingual resource kit, creating a lasting legacy and a scalable model that can be adapted for asylum seeker communities across Victoria.

Uniting Smiles Charity Clinic Oral Health Outreach and Dental Access Program (WA)

Uniting Smiles Charity, in partnership with Palmerston Association, has recently established a community dental clinic in Western Australia to improve access to oral health care for some of the state’s most vulnerable and underserved populations. The clinic supports adults experiencing social disadvantage, including people affected by alcohol and other drug dependency, homelessness, financial hardship, mental health challenges, and complex medical or psychosocial needs.

Many individuals accessing Palmerston Association services face significant barriers to dental care, including treatment costs, limited transport options, competing health priorities and low oral health literacy. As a result, they often present with advanced oral disease, including untreated decay, periodontal disease, oral infections, xerostomia, oral trauma, smoking- and vaping-related conditions, and delayed diagnosis of potentially malignant lesions.

The project addresses these unmet needs through the provision of low-cost or free dental assessments and treatment, preventive oral health education, and the distribution of oral hygiene packs. A key component is the education and training of frontline health and community workers, enabling earlier identification of oral health issues and more effective referral pathways. By strengthening collaboration between dental, medical and community services, the initiative promotes integrated, patient-centred care while reducing oral health inequities and improving access to preventive services for vulnerable Western Australians.

Healthy Mouths Brighter Smiles (WA)

The Healthy Mouths Brighter Smiles (HMBS) Program was established in 2021 through support from the Australian Dental Health Foundation Healthier Smiles Community Service Grants, together with the ANZSPD Alistair Devlin Memorial Grant. The program aligns with Australia’s National Oral Health Plan and the WA Health Sustainability Review by focusing on prevention, health promotion and improved access to oral health education for vulnerable children.

HMBS targets children who are unlikely to receive regular preventive dental care through public services, including those from low socioeconomic and Aboriginal communities, where rates of dental disease remain significantly higher than the national average. To address this need, the program delivers community-based oral health education, preventive activities and take-home oral hygiene resources designed to encourage healthy behaviours and reduce the burden of dental disease.

Since its inception, the program has reached more than 2,300 children across 16 community settings, with 50 dental students participating in outreach activities. A key strength of HMBS is its commitment to continuous quality improvement, ensuring activities remain age-appropriate, culturally responsive and engaging for participants. Strong community demand has driven significant growth in recent years, highlighting the program’s value in improving oral health literacy, supporting prevention, and providing meaningful community-based learning opportunities for future oral health professionals.