With the recent finish of the National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024, IDAA has been active in advocating for improved oral health outcomes for mob with representation at 3 workshops dedicated to forming the new National Oral Health Plan (NOHP) 2025-2034. IDAA also made a submission on the effectiveness of the last NOHP.
While the last plan rightly identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a Priority Population and outlined several foundational strategies, it has fallen short in delivering structural reform, sustainable improvements, and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities and practitioners.
The next iteration of the National Oral Health Plan must move beyond acknowledgement to structural reform. It must elevate Indigenous voices, priorities, and leadership to ensure an oral health system that is culturally safe, community‑driven, and truly equitable.
Thank you to the IDAA members who participated in our July Yarn, where First Peoples Health Consulting, a proud Aboriginal-owned business, listened to the views and experience shared by our members on what’s working and what needs to change to better support mob. The insights from our members contributed to a report for the Department of Health, Disability & Ageing that will help to inform the next National Oral Health Plan.
