Australian dental and public health leaders commit to a cavity-free future

Late 2013 saw experts in dentistry and public health come together to launch the Australian chapter of the global collaboration, the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future. With national representation, the Australian chapter is the eighth to join the global movement.

The group will develop and agree action plans to support immediate and long-term tooth decay prevention initiatives within the Australian dental industry.

Chaired by, Assoc. Prof Wendell Evans, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney and a member of the Global Expert Panel and supported by Dr Susan Cartwright, Scientific Affairs Manager, Colgate Oral Health, the group representing 15 oral health experts, are committed to a cavity-free future.

"In Australia, tooth decay is still a neglected epidemic, with many Australians simply not realising that cavities are preventable and in the early stages, reversible," said Assoc. Prof Evans. "It is critical that we act and join together to promote integrated clinical and public health action in order to prevent decay initiation and to stop its progression in order to move towards a cavity-free future for all age groups."

The Australian Chapter of the Global Alliance will work towards the integration of locally appropriate, comprehensive caries prevention and management systems, building upon the work being done by dental public health professionals.

For more info, please visit the website www.AllianceForACavityFreeFuture.org