As part of the Federation Board’s health portfolio, ‘oral health’ has been added to its concerns when advocating at government level. That’s because high instances of poor oral health continue to impact non-communicable diseases worldwide.
Many oral conditions are preventable but the state of oral health in New Zealand, according to NZ Dental Health Association (NZDA), reveals major issues, including high rates of untreated tooth decay and gum disease.
In 2023/2024, 321,000 adults and 31,000 children had teeth removed due to tooth decay, abscesses, infection or gum diseases. In 2022 the cancer registry recorded 631 people suffering from cancer of the lip.
In August this year, Grey Power national president, Gayle Chambers, and board member, Graeme Faulkner, attended the launch of the NZDA Roadmap, Towards Better Oral Health for all New Zealanders strategy 2025-2030.
Speakers included:
- Dr Amanda Johnson – NZDA President
- Dr David Excell – NZDA President Elect
- Dr Robin Whyman – NZDA Director (Dental Policy)
Speakers said that tooth decay was one of the most chronic diseases among New Zealanders of all ages. They reported that, in particular, there was huge concern regarding the oral health of children in New Zealand with one doctor stating he had to remove 20 teeth from a five-year-old boy due to oral trauma.
The highlighted risk factors for poor oral health are:
- Poor oral health practices
- Sugary drinks
- Lack of fluoridation in community water
- Smoking and vaping
- Alcohol consumption
Dr Whyman said the dental profession was focused on good oral health education and believed all New Zealanders had the right to good dental care.
Priorities moving forward are:
- Good oral health practices, including education programmes
- Higher use of fluoridisation in community water and toothpastes
- Lower levels of sugar in soft drinks
- Smoking cessation programmes
- Reduction in youth vaping
- Increased levels of dental health grants
- ACC funding and services
- Quality of care and professional development.
NZDA are committed to these strategic priorities so New Zealanders can have better oral health outcomes.
