ADA questions lack of oral health representation on expert Advisory Council for the Australian National Preventive Health Agency
Monday, July 25, 2011
The (ADA) today expressed its disappointment over the lack of inclusion of any oral health representation on the newly-announced expert Advisory Council for the Australian National Preventive Health Agency.
The Advisory Council was announced on 18 July 2011 by the Acting Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler. One the chief objectives of the Advisory Council announced by the Acting Minister, is to “drive Australia’s prevention agenda by providing evidence-based advice to the Australian Government and to all health ministers and developing national guidelines and standards to guide preventive health activities.”
ADA Federal President, Dr Shane Fryer, questioned the potential effectiveness of the Advisory Council without any input from the dental profession. “Around 90% of oral diseases are preventable, so it is unclear why the Acting Minister has announced the composition of the Advisory Council when the Government is still missing a key piece of the chronic disease puzzle.
“Poor oral health can cause chronic diseases as well as exacerbate existing medical conditions. The ADA believes the Government has missed out on an opportunity to tackle chronic diseases head-on by excluding any oral health representatives.”
The ADA has addressed chronic disease prevention and treatment with the Government on a continual basis since 2009 and recognises the importance of the focus areas of tobacco, alcohol and other substance use; however the ADA hopes the Advisory Council recognises the importance of oral health in addressing the National Preventative Health strategy.
“The ADA’s DentalAccess policy and Pre-Budget Submission 2010-2011 outlines both preventative chronic disease strategies and care plans for people with pre-existing conditions.”
Media Release
Dr F. Shane Fryer
Federal President
For printable pdf version of this media release see:
ADA questions lack of oral health representation
Dr Fryer concluded saying “the Federal government will find it very difficult to be able drive an effective preventative health strategy without input from the dental profession. The future oral health of Australians may be risked by the Federal Government by its exclusion of expert oral health input into the Advisory Council for the Australian National Preventive Health Agency.”
Media Contact:
Alex Chapman Manager, Government and Public Affairs
Ph: (02) 9906-4412
E: alex.chapman@ada.org.au