New Zealand faces an ongoing and preventable oral health crisis, with thousands suffering from pain, infections, and a reduced quality of life.
A new report from the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) highlights how social factors influence people’s well-being and emphasizes the urgent need for change across all age groups.
The report, titled “Determining Our Future,” emphasizes that health is not just about access to services, but also about the environment people live in and the support they receive. The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) agrees and urges immediate action based on the findings.
The report aligns with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)’s roadmap for improving oral health, which advocates for increased investment in prevention, healthier food environments, and community-driven solutions.
Dr. Robin Whyman, Director of Dental Policy at MPI, emphasized that the report provides a valuable framework for advancing dental policy.
“This is a critical step forward,” Dr. Whyman said. “Improving health isn’t just about clinical services; it’s also about the environment, the community, and the support people need to make healthy choices. Oral health is an essential component of overall health, and we fully support the direction of this report.”
While the report primarily focuses on children’s oral health, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) urges the government to expand its focus to adults, many of whom suffer from untreated oral disease and the associated pain and social consequences.
Prevention and early detection are crucial, but adults with poor oral health must also be prioritized. Dr. Wyman welcomed the report’s recognition of diet and the food environment as key determinants of health.
Reducing sugar intake is one of the most effective ways to improve the public’s oral health, and the MPI roadmap places it at the heart of its recommendations.
“If we are serious about prevention, then creating healthier food environments and reducing sugar intake are crucial,” Dr. Wyman said.
Oral health must be integrated into overall health, ensuring New Zealanders can access the care they need, no matter where they live.
“Poor oral health remains an everyday reality for too many New Zealanders,” Dr. Wyman concluded. “The Public Health Commission’s report provides a strong framework for change, but its recommendations must be implemented across all age groups.
We are ready to work with the Government, health organisations and the community to put these ideas into action and ensure all New Zealanders have better oral health.”
