VicOralHlthAlliance

The Victorian Oral Health Alliance (VOHA) is a group of health, professional and consumer bodies that have united to advocate for measures to improve access to

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

An article in the @m_courier by @samobjournalist
today prompted me to put (electronic) pen to paper. I've been a strong advocate for water fluoridation over many years. With state budget coming up, it's time we did more for communities like Mansfield.

https://t.co/DvyljDDCBz

[VicOralHlthAlliance @VicOralHealth]

•Increase investment in public health, prevention, and promotion to a minimum of 5% of the annual dental health budget. 
For more information visit: Victorian Oral Health Alliance (https://t.co/h7CimKViLU)

[VicOralHlthAlliance @VicOralHealth]

Today representatives from VOHA went to Spring St to ask voters how long they would expect to wait to visit a public dentist for a check-up.
Did you know that the average adult waits up to 27 months for an appointment in the public system?

[VicOralHlthAlliance @VicOralHealth]

•Develop a workforce strategy that addresses critical shortages in regional and rural areas as well as disadvantaged metropolitan areas.

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

End of the first week of campaigning - what are the major parties promising to improve the oral health of Victorians? #dental #VicVotes 🦷

More here: https://t.co/eztdP7kIYs

[Joe Garra @joegarra61]

Poor dental health leads to so many adverse health outcomes

[Alastair Sloan 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇦🇺🎷🔬 @ProfAlSloan]

Poor oral health impacts on wider general health. The mouth is not isolated from the rest of the body. But we also need to understand that reduced capacity in the public dental / oral healthcare system has direct impact on student placements and clinical education/training.

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

And dental care in residential aged care? The Royal Commission recommended a Medicare Senior Dental Benefits Scheme
#dental 🦷

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

'Waiting times for public dental care have surged from 20.3mths in 2018 to 26.7mths in 2022,' said @ADAVB president Warren Shnider. 'These clinically unacceptable times have a significant impact on the oral health of patients, which in turn compromises their general health.'

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

With long waiting times there is no opportunity for routine appointments for necessary regular & ongoing care to prevent dental disease & improve oral health. @ADAVB & @VicOralHealth have been calling for a major boost in funding for 4+ yrs, knowing the system is in crisis.

[VicOralHlthAlliance @VicOralHealth]

We have been meeting with MPs and candidates over the past 4 years, advocating for a significant boost in public dental funding. This is a welcome announcement & we call on all parties and candidates to support measures to improve oral health. #VicVotes #dental 🦷

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

The @ADAVB welcomes the announcement of a significant boost in public dental funding - something we have been calling for since prior to the last election. Waiting times for public dental care have surged from 20.3 months in 2018 to 26.7 months in this year. #VicVotes #dental 🦷

[VicOralHlthAlliance @VicOralHealth]

The Victorian Oral Health Alliance continuing to advocate on important issues for access to public dental care in the lead-up to the Victorian election

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

Good opportunity this morning to talk about the significant oral health issues with @georgiecrozier & Tony McBride @VicOralHealth in the lead-up to the Victorian election.
As a nurse, she understands the important role of primary health care & the need to support the workforce.

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

1 in 3 kids experience tooth decay by 5-6 yrs. Water fluoridation is a safe & effective public health measure - yet places like Heathcote (where the local community supports it) are denied due to lack of government funding. Why?
My piece with Peter Maine in @CroakeyNews 🦷

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

And at the other end of the age spectrum we see significant issues, particularly in residential care.

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

Great chat this morning with @Sophie4Kew about the significant challenges in the Victorian public dental sector & the need for action.
Waiting times are up to 26mths, well beyond what is clinically acceptable, and it's a long term trend.

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

1 in 3 kids experience tooth decay by the age of 5-6 yrs & tooth decay is the leading cause of preventable hospitalisation in Australian kids. Focusing on prevention and early intervention is key - which is why we need to see 5% of health budgets allocated to prevention.

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

Great chat with @joegarra61 running as an independent for Point Cook about the important issue of access to public dental care. Residents in Point Cook waiting 44mths to access care - forcing patients to see doctors like Joe for emergencies that should be seen by dentists.

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

Really great meeting with @Kate4Mornington on behalf of @VicOralHealth to talk about the key issue of access to public dental care.
Waiting times up to 29 mths in the area, well beyond clinically acceptable times.

[𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 🦷👨‍🍳🏃🏼‍♂️ @Matt_Hopcraft]

Dental waiting times in Victoria likely to worsen.

The public sector enterprise agreement for dentists expired in June, and there is still no offer. Recruitment and retention is an ongoing problem, and burnout is a significant issue. Dental health is important too. 🦷