Author Archives: VOHA

2021 Snapshot In 2021 VOHA successfully: Gathered and analysed new Victorian waiting list data for January – June 2020 and June – December 2020 Developed a one minute video for World Oral Health Day to shine a light on oral health in residential aged care Met with Victorian Health Minister the Hon. Martin Foley toContinue reading “2021-2022 VOHA Snapshot”

Federal Advocacy VOHA has now met with 14 Federal MPs (and/or their advisors) in the last three months, in advance of the 2022 Federal election. We have been advocating for two key policy positions: Establish a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme As a matter of urgency, make oral health/dental care more accessible to all older AustraliansContinue reading “VOHA Recent Activities – December Update”

Primary health care services for people with an intellectual disability Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) is launching an important project called ‘Supporting People with an Intellectual Disability to Access Health’ (SPIDAH) project. The SPIDAH project is based in Western Victoria and will end on 30 June 2024. The SPIDAH project represents Western Victoria PHNsContinue reading “SPIDAH PROJECT”

(ACE Oral Health Prevention) Unlike medical and other primary healthcare services, which are  funded under Australia’s public health insurance system, Medicare, 58% of the expenditure for dental services are largely borne by individuals. Dental care remains in principle, an individual responsibility and excluded from universal healthcare coverage. From an Australian context, there is limited researchContinue reading “Assessing Cost-Effectiveness on Oral Health Preventive Interventions”

Recently, VOHA asked some of Victoria’s public dental care providers how they would reduce dental waiting lists if they had more resources – find out what they had to say HERE. The Dental Health Week event was followed by the discussion from our expert panel chaired by Professor Nancy Baxter, Head, Melbourne School of Population andContinue reading “Dental Health Week 2021”

Given that the State Government has recently allocated a sum to public dental care for innovative approaches to reducing dental waiting lists, VOHA has been active in promoting some early thinking about possible approaches. We sought short video statements from interested services and others about which innovations could work at either a State or localContinue reading “VOHA Innovation ideas for managing demand for Public Oral Health Care”

18 May 2021    MEDIA RELEASE                                Teeth left out again in Budget The Victorian Oral Health Alliance, a coalition of dental health professional, service and consumer organisations, is disappointed that once again the mouth has been left out of the body in the Federal Budget. This again highlights the lack of understanding of the importance ofContinue reading “Media Release – Teeth left out again in Budget”

The Victorian Oral Health Alliance (VOHA) is a group of key professional, welfare and consumer organisations and service providers, committed to improving Victorians’ oral health and access to dental care. Good oral health is important for general health and wellbeing and the impact of oral disease places a considerable burden on individuals, families and theContinue reading “VOHA Position Paper – Two major changes needed to improve Australia’s oral health”

We recently asked VOHA member and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch about his oral health passion. Below is his response. Why is oral health important to you? I graduated as a dentist 25 years ago, and spent time working across a range of practice settings, including the Australian Army, privateContinue reading “VOHA Spotlight – Matt Hopcraft”

Special thanks to the Australian Dental Oral Therapists’ Association and the Dental Hygienists Association for this report.    Launch of the 2020 Australian Oral  Health Workforce Report The Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association (ADOHTA Ltd.) and the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia (DHAA Ltd.) today jointly released the 2020 Australian Oral Health WorkforceContinue reading “Launch of the 2020 Australian Oral Health Workforce Report”