ADIA Contributes to National Fluoride Guidelines Update Workshop

ADIA has contributed an industry perspective to national discussions on the review of Australia's fluoride guidelines.

From 26–28 October 2026, ADIA's Dr Sarah Raphael attended the National Fluoride Guidelines Update Workshop at the University of Queensland, hosted by the UQ Population Oral Health Unit.

The three-day workshop brought together a diverse range of Australian and international oral health stakeholders, including representatives from New Zealand and the Pacific, Australian public oral health service directors, professional associations, academics and clinicians.

Representatives from the Australian Dental Association, ADA Queensland, Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA), Indigenous Dental Association of Australia (IDAA) and the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (AAPD) were also in attendance, highlighting the collaborative approach to reviewing the evidence informing Australia's fluoride guidelines.

Supporting Evidence-Based Oral Health Prevention

Fluoride plays an important role in preventing dental caries and supporting oral health across the Australian population. As scientific evidence and community needs evolve, reviewing national guidance helps ensure recommendations remain relevant, effective and informed by current research.

The workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the available evidence, share perspectives and contribute to discussions on future fluoride recommendations.

ADIA's participation ensured that the dental industry's perspective was represented in these important discussions, alongside those of public health professionals, researchers and clinical experts.

ADIA's Commitment to Better Oral Health Outcomes

Through its advocacy and engagement with national oral health initiatives, ADIA continues to support collaborative, evidence-based approaches to improving oral health outcomes.

Participation in the National Fluoride Guidelines Update Workshop reflects ADIA's ongoing commitment to ensuring the dental industry has a voice in discussions shaping Australia's oral health policies and preventive care recommendations.

Parliamentary Friends of Dental and Oral Health launched in Canberra

A new Parliamentary Friends of Dental and Oral Health group has been established, bringing together parliamentarians and dental sector leaders to strengthen advocacy and improve oral health outcomes for all Australians.

Officially launched at Parliament House in Canberra on 14 October 2026, the group provides an important platform for collaboration between government, the dental industry and oral health professionals.

Co-chaired by Senator Helen Polley and Dr Monique Ryan MP, the group will help keep dental and oral health on the national agenda, encourage informed policy discussions and support a stronger, more sustainable dental sector.

Strengthening the voice of Australia's dental sector

ADIA National President Ryan Green delivered the opening address, highlighting the importance of collaboration and improving awareness and participation in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

This commitment to preventative dental care is also reflected in ADIA's Bite Sized Beginnings initiative.

Developed in partnership with Goodstart Early Learning, Primary Dental (For Health Group) and Colgate, the initiative aims to build oral health awareness and CDBS uptake among young children and families. Senator Helen Polley previously observed the program in Adelaide, highlighting the value of partnerships that connect national advocacy with practical community initiatives.

Working together for better oral health

ADIA is proud to support the Parliamentary Friends group alongside the Australian Dental Association (ADA), Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA), Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA), Dental Assistants Professional Association (DAPA) and Australian Dental Technicians Association (ADTA).

The group's establishment represents an important opportunity to strengthen engagement with policymakers, raise awareness of oral health challenges and advocate for improved access to dental care across Australia.

Welcome to your monthly TGA and technical update. As your industry representative, your views shape the responses we make to consultations on everything from fees and charges to patient safety and sharing of your medical device data. If you have feedback on regulatory and technical matters, please get in contact at any time.

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

The Top 3 Tech Updates for this month are:

MTAA RegConnect Summit 2026 - 24-25 SEPTEMBER in SYDNEY

Is Medical Device regulation part of your world?

Then the MTAA RegConnect Summit 2026 is a must for you!

The Summit is bringing together regulatory professionals, global health authorities, industry leaders and key stakeholders over the two day program, to explore the most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities in medical device regulation.

REGISTER HERE

VIEW PROGRAM

Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code

The TGA is currently consulting on Improvements to the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. This impacts:

- Advertising of Orthodontic Aligners

- Advertising requirements for Software-based Medical Devices

as well as proposed clarifications and amendments, mandatory statements and requirements for citations to research in advertising.

If you would like to have your views included in the ADIA submission, please send your comments and feedback to advocacy@adia.org.au by 25 August 2026.

CONSULTATION PAPER

COMPLETE THE SURVEY

Patient Matched Medical Devices (PMMDs)

The TGA are continuing consultations on the proposed regulatory reforms for PMMDs. ADIA attended an information session on 30 July to receive updates on the process. A Dental Sector specific session will be held in September and two public information webinars will follow.

We will continue to update you on this important issue in the coming months.

If you have information or issues you would like to raise, please contact us at advocacy@adia.org.au by 4 September 2026.

Questions & Feedback

We'd love to hear from you!
Contact Dr Sarah Raphael
Email: advocacy@adia.org.au
Phone: 0412 918 848

Please reach out to let us know what other Technical and Regulatory information you would find valuable in these monthly updates.

On 23 and 24 July, ADIA Director of Policy and Education, Dr Sarah Raphael represented the association at the Federal Labor Business Exchange in Adelaide, held alongside the 50th Australian Labor Party National Conference.

Across the two-day program, Sarah met with senior members of the Albanese Government, including:

• Minister Mark Butler - Health and Ageing, Disability and the NDIS
• Minister Sam Rae - Aged Care and Seniors
• Assistant Minister Rebecca White - Women, Indigenous Health and Health and Aged Care
• Assistant Minister Emma McBride - Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Rural and Regional Health
• Minister Tanya Plibersek - Social Services
• Assistant Minister Ged Kearney - Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence
• Minister Jess Walsh - Early Childhood Education and Youth
• Minister Anne Aly - International Development, Small Business and Multicultural Affairs

The meetings provided an important opportunity to discuss the dental industry’s priorities and strengthen relationships with ministers responsible for health, aged care, social services and small business, all which intersect with the dental industry.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered the keynote address at the Business Exchange lunch.

A Roadmap to Oral Health Reform

A significant outcome from the National Conference was the passage of an amendment to Labor’s policy platform committing the party to develop a roadmap to include dental services in Medicare. The roadmap would use a staged and evidence-based approach to improve access, prioritising people at the highest risk in the community. This represents an important policy development for oral health and provides a foundation for further engagement on how any future expansion could be designed and delivered.

Last week ADIA returned to Australian Parliament House for its 2026 Parliamentary Roundtable. President Ryan Green together with ADIA Board directors and members met with parliamentarians and senior departmental representatives to discuss opportunities to improve oral health outcomes across Australia.

The Roundtable provided a direct forum for ADIA delegates to raise priority issues affecting the dental industry and the broader community. Discussions focused on improving awareness and uptake of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, supporting better access to oral health care in aged care, and ensuring product regulation balances patient safety expectations with the ability to foster innovative product technology in Australia.

A key focus of the day was ADIA’s Bite Sized Beginnings pilot, which attracted strong interest from both parliamentarians and senior members of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The program was recognised for its potential to support early childhood oral health education, reach families through early learning settings, and help identify oral health issues before they become serious. The discussions highlighted the value of case studies, stronger data and practical evidence to demonstrate how prevention can reduce avoidable hospitalisations and improve outcomes for children.

The roundtable also marked an important advocacy milestone, with the Parliamentary Friends of Dental and Oral Health group reformed and co-chaired by Senator Helen Polley and Dr Monique Ryan MP.

ADIA welcomed this important opportunity to engage with Parliamentarians and Departmental staff and guests in a constructive day of discussion. The insights shared will help inform ADIA’s ongoing advocacy for a stronger dental industry and better oral health for all Australians.

If you would like to discuss any areas of ADIA’s Government advocacy, please get in touch with ADIA Director of Policy and Education, Dr Sarah Raphael at advocacy@adia.org.au