One week to go: Top 5 things to do for Dental Health Week 2026

Every year Dental Health Week (DHW) shines a spotlight on a core oral health issue, with the aiming of encouraging Australians to take the health of their teeth and gums as seriously as they take their overall health.

This year we’re talking to 18-to-25-year-olds (aka Gen Z) about the importance of checking with dental professionals when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, mouthguards, and wisdom teeth. We’re also stressing that they need to brush and floss daily, eat and drink healthy options, and regularly see their dentist. 

We know a lot of practices and clinics are already on board, and we can’t wait to see what you do during DHW, but there’s still time to get involved if you haven’t fully committed to celebrating the week just yet.

Here are five things to keep in mind as you get yourself ready for the biggest oral health promotion event of the year!

1. Check out the messaging for DHW 2026

This year’s campaign, along with giving young people reliable information and good early care habits, is all about encouraging Gen Z to see a dentist before small issues turn into big problems. Whether it's encouraging the target group to check with their dentist before they undertake dental cosmetic work like teeth whitening or veneers & crowns, making them aware of the symptoms of wisdom teeth so they can act before it gets serious or protecting their teeth during sport with a mouthguard, we want Gen Z to take their oral health seriously.

Find out more by reading these articles - "Mouthguards and sport in the spotlight for Dental Health Week 2026" and "Educating 18-to-25-year-olds on wisdom teeth and cosmetic dentistry" 

2. Access a great range of DHW resources

Whether you’re trying to engage patients in your practice or going out into the community to do presentations at schools, community events or the local shopping centre, there’s a great range of resources to make your efforts pop! You can wear a DHW T-shirt or get kids colouring in or really make an impression on your social media channels or in your emails; whatever you do, we have ready-to-use resources for you to easily download.

3. Don’t forget to promote Teeth.org.au

Finding the right material for your patients can be a challenge. It needs to be engaging and interesting but also clinically accurate, explaining what they need to know in ways that are easily understood and simple to put into practice. The material on the ADA-created, peer-reviewed consumer oral health site, teeth.org.au ticks all those boxes and is free to use. 

4. Send us your social posts or photos and write-ups

Where did you go? Who did you speak to? And what was the result? Past years have seen some very cool and innovative things done by practices and clinics across Australia and we’re looking forward to seeing what you do this year. We’ll re-share as many posts as we can, and we’ll compile a lot of what you did into a recap article so every member can see what’s possible during a DHW campaign.

5. Start or keep conversations going with Gen Z

We know a great many of you are already active in promoting great oral health to your patients and the wider community. But DHW offers a golden opportunity to start conversations about the importance of brushing, flossing, healthy eating and drinking and regularly seeing a dentist or to keep them going, and we hope you’ll also use the week to get the ball rolling so oral health remains at the top of the agenda throughout the year.