Author | Lightnews

Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 1d

You can read the full Regional Oral Health Plan here:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/wpro---documents/regional-committee/session-76/wpr-rc76-06-oral_health.pdf

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#RCM76 #healthforall #oralhealth

Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 1d

We applaud the leadership of the Regional Director, Dr. Saia Ma'u Piukala in prioritising oral health.

Momentum like this shows what’s possible when prevention is prioritised. Here’s hoping it inspires even more governments to follow suit and invest in keeping people healthy for life.

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 1d

At the Regional Meeting held in Fiji this week, we heard about initiatives that are being implemented across the region that are already working to advance oral health care under these priorities.

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 1d

Yesterday the Western Pacific Regional Committee for the @who.int endorsed a plan to accelerate action in oral health. Priorities are:

1. Integration of oral health into primary healthcare
2. The promotion of lifelong oral health
3. Strengthening governance and research for oral health

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 1d

Oral diseases are the most common non communicable disease in the Western Pacific Region, affecting 800 million people.

Much of this is preventable.

Despite it being critical to eating well and staying connected, it has been a long neglected part of our healthcare.

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 6d

Read the full story on our blog: www.fred.org.au/latestnews/w...

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#OralHealth #Prevention #PublicHealth #Dentistry #FRED #HealthPromotion #Wellbeing

Why a black spot on your tooth might not be bad news — FRED

Most of us see a black or brown mark on a tooth and instantly think: “Decay!”. And you may well be right. The thought of decay can be scary because once it gets going it inevitably progresses - righ...

www.fred.org.au

Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 6d

In our latest blog, our Co-Founder and Board Chair, Dr Alexandra Jones explains how your mouth’s natural defence system can stop early decay and even make your teeth tougher.

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 6d

When most of us spot a dark patch on a tooth, we assume the worst - decay!

But sometimes, that little black or brown mark is actually a sign your mouth is healing itself.

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 7d

At FRED, our vision is a future where all Australians enjoy good oral health and the many benefits it brings.

Our Chair and Co-Founder, Dr Alexandra Jones reflects on how 30+ yrs in dentistry led her to pursue her passion for making oral health care more equitable.

www.linkedin.com/posts/alexan...

#fred #friendsofreallyexcellentdentistry #oralhealth #prevention #healthequity | Alexandra Jones | 10 comments

What happens when you’ve spent 30 years focused on helping people, only to realise that the system you’re working in leaves those who need it most behind? That’s where I found myself a few years ago ...

www.linkedin.com

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 13d

Today on our blog, our Chair and Co-Founder, Dr Alexandra Jones talks teeth grinding, what causes it, and what you can do about it.

🦷 www.fred.org.au/latestnews/w...

#OralHealth #Prevention #PreventiveHealth #Dental #FRED

Why am I grinding my teeth, and what can I do about it? — FRED

Teeth grinding and clenching, what clinicians call bruxism, affects lots of people. It can show up during the day (hello, clenched jaw over emails) or at night while you’re asleep. The signs might be...

www.fred.org.au

Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 15d

www.sbs.com.au/news/article...

#oralhealth #prevention #healthforall #dental

🦷 😀 🤍

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The unseen impact of missing or damaged teeth — and the key to addressing it

Why is it so shameful to have missing teeth or gum disease? And what can we do about it?

www.sbs.com.au

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 15d

We need oral health in the community sector, primary healthcare and aged care - to ensure that we are meeting people where they are at and helping them when they need it.

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 15d

And oral health care needs to be accessible to people in a range of settings - oral health reflects the circumstances in which people live, work, age and grow.

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 15d

Despite this, ‘dental care is often out of reach for many people’.

And yet a long history, tells us prevention is key.

We need to improve people’s awareness not only of the factors that contribute to poor oral health, but those that support a healthy mouth.

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 15d

As Ankur Singh, Chair of Lifespan Oral Health, shares in this article, our oral health affects our ‘nutrition, confidence, forming relationships and maintaining overall good health and wellbeing.’

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 15d

Good oral health is so important to our general health and wellbeing - so why aren’t governments doing more to ensure that we have access to the information, resources and services that we need to improve the health of our mouths?

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 20d

We believe prevention is one of the best ways to improve the oral #health of all Australians.

We’ve made a submission on the Draft Framework of the National Oral Health Plan (2025–2034), an important step towards reshaping how Australia approaches oral health.

🦷 www.fred.org.au/latestnews

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 23d

Why does this matter?

These discussions present an opportunity for us to rethink how we support people to have good oral health in Australia.

By having a greater focus on prevention, we can improve outcomes and keep people healthier and well for longer.

#oralhealth #prevention #health

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 23d

Right now, in Australia, governments are developing a National Oral Health Plan 2025-2034, which will provide a framework for advancing oral health in Australia.

consultations.health.gov.au/access-and-i...

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Consultation: National Oral Health Plan (2025-2034) Framework - Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing - Citizen Space

The site lists consultations that are run by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. On this site you can find, share or take part in consultations.

consultations.health.gov.au

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 23d

Next month, the Western Pacific Regional Committee Meeting will discuss a regional plan for oral health, acknowledging ‘oral health has long been neglected in health systems, despite being essential to overall health and well-being’.

#RCM76 @whowpro.bsky.social

cdn.who.int/media/docs/d...

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cdn.who.int

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 23d

Last year, the @who.int released a comprehensive Global strategy and action plan on oral health 2023-2030.

The action plan aims to ‘make the case for integrating oral health into noncommunicable disease and universal health coverage benefit packages.’

www.who.int/publications...

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Global strategy and action plan on oral health 2023–2030

This new document incorporates all key policy documents that inform and define the renewed global oral health agenda towards 2030.

www.who.int

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 23d

It’s a critical time for rethinking the way that we support people to have good oral health, with policy development at the global, regional and national level all supporting an increased focus.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening…

#oralhealth #preventivehealth

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Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · 27d

Did you know your mouth is a whole ecosystem, with heroes like saliva, enamel + gums working 24/7 to keep you healthy?

Find out more on our blog.

www.fred.org.au/latestnews/b...

Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · Sep 23

“FRED was born from the idea that we can do better - and that by working together, we will.”

Our Chair and Co-Founder, Dr Alexandra Jones unpacks why preventive oral health deserves a seat at the table.

www.fred.org.au/latestnews/b...

Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) @fredaustralia.bsky.social · Sep 17

Meet FRED!

A new health promotion charity working for a future where all Australians enjoy good oral health.

We focus on:

💻 Digital tools to empower communities
👩‍⚕️ Building workforce capacity
📣 Advocacy that centers prevention and equity

www.fred.org.au

#OralHealth #Prevention #HealthEquity

The tile on this post has pastel coloured squares, and a white smiley face icon in the bottom right hand corner. It also has a photo of a young man wearing a beanie smiling, standing in front of a bright orange background. The text in the tile says: Friends of Really Excellent Dentistry (FRED) is a national health promotion charity working towards a future where all Australians enjoy good oral health and the many benefits it brings.

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