20th March annually marks World Oral Health Day!
VOHA was proud to host a vibrant and inspiring breakfast at Parliament House in Victoria, to celebrate World Oral Health Day, bringing together leaders across government, public health, and the broad variety of advocates across our VOHA membership.
We were honoured to welcome:
- Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister of Health
- Ms Georgie Crozier, Shadow Minister of Health
- Dr Sarah Mansfield, Greens Spokesperson for Health
alongside representatives from Oral Health Victoria, the Department of Health Victoria, and a wide range of VOHA member organisations.
The theme for WOHD 2026, “A Happy Mouth… is a Happy Life,” reinforces the vital role oral health plays at every stage of life.
Opening Remarks
Our MC for the event, VOHA Spokesperson Tony McBride, opened the morning by welcoming guests and acknowledging the importance of nonpartisan recognition and support for oral health in Victoria. He emphasised VOHA’s commitment to working collaboratively to help shape a stronger, more equitable oral health future for all Victorians.
Pictured above: Mr Tony McBride (VOHA Spokesperson)
Key Speakers & Highlights
Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas – Minister for Health
The Minister reflected on the importance of investing early by supporting “the little people”, acknowledging the Government’s commitment to early intervention through programs such as Smiles 4 Miles, Healthy Smiles Healthy Families, and Smile Squad.
In line with the World Oral Health Day theme, the Minister acknowledged that oral health is integral at every stage of life and recognised the well established connections between oral health and general health outcomes. The Minister also mentioned the importance of water fluoridation and the Victorian government’s ongoing commitment to always recognise evidence, science and expert advice when shaping policy for Victorian’s health. She reinforced that oral health is essential at every stage of life, noting the well‑established links between oral health and general health.
Pictured above (left to right): A/Prof Neil Hewson (Interim CEO, ADAVB), Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas (Minister of Health, Victoria) and Dr Carolyn Ng (President, ADAVB)
Georgie Crozier – Shadow Minister for Health
Georgie Crozier reinforced the vital role that the oral health sector plays in Victoria’s broader health landscape. She noted that our advocacy is necessary and valued, and assured attendees that the hard work of practitioners, community organisations, and advocates is not going unnoticed, and is deeply appreciated. Georgie also focused on the importance of prevention and how the leading cause of hospital admissions for under 10s is due to poor oral health and recognises that more work needs to be done in this space.
Pictured above (left to right): A/Prof Neil Hewson (Interim CEO, ADAVB), Ms Georgie Crozier (Shadow Minister of Health, Victoria), Dr Carolyn Ng (President, ADAVB) and Ms Gaelle Broad (Member of Legislative Council, Northern Victoria)
Dr Sarah Mansfield – Greens Spokesperson for Health
Dr Mansfield addressed one of the systemic issues in Victoria’s oral health landscape — the way the current health system still treats the mouth as separate from the body. She stressed the need to “put teeth back into the body” in policy, planning, and funding discussions. Dr Mansfield also highlighted priority areas including workforce capacity, salary structures, and the need for sustainable and expanded funding to meet community needs. Acknowledgement that there is still a high number of preventable dental hospitalisations across the age spectrum, noting 17,000 admissions due to dental-related disease in 2021.
Pictured above (left to right): Dr Sarah Mansfield (Greens Spokesperson for Health, Victoria) and Mr Tony McBride (Spokesperson, VOHA)
Dr Tori Carter – Dentist & Public Oral Health Advocate
Dr Tori Carter (Vic and Tas State Co-ordinator for the ADA Dental Health Foundation) shared compelling realworld examples from her clinical experience as the Senior Dentist in a community health clinic in Melbourne, illustrating how poor oral health is shaped by access barriers, social stigma, and entrenched inequities. She reflected on the undeniable links between oral health and general health, calling for better alignment across services, policy, and community supports to improve outcomes for all Victorians.
Pictured above (left to right): Dr Katy Theodore (Advocacy Lead, ADAVB), Dr Tori Carter (VIC State Coordinator, ADA Dental Health Foundation) and Dr Clare Lin (Director of Policy and Population Health, Oral Health Victoria)
Collaboration Across the Sector
VOHA extends special thanks to:
- the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch (ADAVB) for their partnership and support in delivering this event, and
- the wide breadth of VOHA member organisations and sponsors, whose ongoing commitment makes events like this possible.
Today’s strong cross‑sector presence reflected a shared commitment to building a healthier, more equitable future for Victorian communities.
Pictured above (left to right): Dr Werner Bischof (Chief Oral Health Advisor, Oral Health Victoria), Dr Clare Lin (Dr Clare Lin (Director of Policy and Population Health, Oral Health Victoria)), Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas (Minister of Health, Victoria), Ms Susan McKee (CEO, Oral Health Victoria) and Dr Katy Theodore (Advocacy Lead, ADAVB)
Pictured above (left to right): A/Prof Rachel Martin (Director, Australian Network for Integration of Oral Health), Mr Tony McBride (Spokesperson, VOHA), Ms Nina Taylor (MLA, Albert Park), Ms Cate Grindlay (Executive Director Integrated & Primary Care, Your Community Health), Ms Kat Theophanous (MLA, Northcote), Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas (Minister of Health, Victoria), Ms Vicki Doherty (Executive Director Medical and Oral Health Services, Latrobe Community Health), Dr Felicia Valianatos (Manager Oral Health, Latrobe Community Health Services) and Ms Liz Chondros (CEO, Your Community Health)
Pictured above (left to right): Mr Nathan Clarke (CEO, Oral Health Association Australia), Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas (Minister of Health, Victoria), Mrs Cathryn Carboon (VIC TAS Co-Chair, Oral Health Association of Australia) and Dr Stacey Bracksley-O’Grady (Research Fellow, Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe Rural Health School)
Pictured above (left to right): Ms Sarah Woodburn (Director of Community Services, East Grampians Health Service), Ms Elizabeth Chondros (CEO, Your Community Health), Mr Scott Drummond (Head of Policy and Practice, Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association), Ms Cate Grindlay (Executive Director Integrated & Primary Care, Your Community Health) and Mr Tan Nguyen (Spokesperson, National Oral Health Alliance)
Pictured Left to Right: Mr Tony McBride (Spokesperson, VOHA), Ms Susan McKee (CEO, Oral Health Victoria), Ms Vicki Doherty (Executive Director Medical and Oral Health Services, Latrobe Community Health) and Dr Felicia Valianatos (Manager Oral Health, Latrobe Community Health Services)
Pictured Left to Right: Dr Tori Carter (VIC State Coordinator, ADA Dental Health Foundation) and Ms Erin Taylor (Executive Director – Community Health, Department of Health Victoria)
Pictured Left to Right: Mr Tony McBride (Spokesperson, VOHA), Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas (Minister of Health, Victoria) and Ms Natalie Smyth (Senior Manager Dental Services, IPC Health)
Pictured Left to Right: Prof. Julie Satur (Professor of Oral Health, Director of Engagement and Indigenous Programs, Melbourne Dental School) and Mr Stephen McGhie (MLA, Melton)
Pictured above (left to right): Mrs Shierly Lianawati (Advocacy Administrative Officer, ADAVB) and Dr Laura Purcell (Advocacy and Evidence Officer, ADAVB)
Victorian Oral Health Alliance 