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Living Out Loud: National Diabetes Week 2026 turns up the volume

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Australian Dental Association
Australian Dental Association
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13 July 2026
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2 minute read
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  • Oral health

For this year’s event, which runs from 12-18 July, the ADA is highlighting the important role oral health plays in an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.

National Diabetes Week (12-18 July) is turning up the volume this year and celebrating the fact that ‘you can do anything with diabetes’.

Given the close connection between oral and overall health, it’s a great time to remind people that brushing and flossing daily and eating well have a significant effect on overall wellbeing.

While the link between oral health and systemic health is well documented among health professionals, there is nowhere near the same level of awareness amongst the general public when it comes to the significance of their mouth health in their longevity and physical welfare.

The ADA has a range of resources aimed directly at consumers at Teeth.org.au and is also advocating on a number of issues so people can live the healthiest lives possible and look after both their oral and general health.

1. Caring for your oral health with diabetes

Diabetes can cause a number of complications for a person’s oral health including developing periodontitis, dry mouth, oral thrush and delayed or poor wound healing. Key steps to looking after the health of teeth and gums of a person living with diabetes include:

  • brush your teeth twice a day using a soft toothbrush with fluoridated toothpaste

  • clean between your teeth every day

  • eat a low sugar diet

  • drink fluoridated tap water

  • chew sugar-free gum to help create saliva

2. Cool Australia lessons on oral health and nutrition

The ADA has teamed up with Sugar By Half, an independent not-for-profit organisation committed to a reduction of sugar-related diseases, to develop school lessons which bring together oral health and nutrition. The lessons, created by teachers for teachers, have been created with Cool Australia and are curriculum-aligned, easily adapted with the aim of educating children about health eating choices.

And the best part? It’s all FREE.

3. Sugar Savvy factsheets

Whether you’re looking to educate your patients on calculating sugar content and finding added ingredients on a product’s Nutrition Information Panel or helping them to understand the difference between natural and added sugar or understanding how sugar affects teeth, the factsheets at Teeth.org.au are a handy, detailed guide for any consumer.

4. Advocacy on Health Star Ratings

The ADA has been advocating on refining the way nutritional information is conveyed to people on products. While there is evidence that the current Health Star Ratings (HSR) system has had a positive impact on healthier food choices by consumer, the ADA believes HSR will be even more effective if the system is made mandatory rather voluntary which is currently the case.

In the ADA's latest submission on the issue, we said:

"Mandatory implementation of the HSR on all packaged foods would create a level playing field, ensuring consumers receive consistent nutritional information while encouraging manufacturers to reformulate products to remain competitive. The result would be healthier products and better-informed consumer choices."