MOB Smiles Dental Health resources on World Oral Health Day

The World Dental Federation (FDI) is using World Oral Health Day this month with the campaign of ‘Be Proud of Your Mouth’. 

First Nation children and adults have poorer dental health than non-Indigenous Australians, and the Australian Dental Association has developed culturally appropriate oral health education and information resources, called the Mob Smiles initiative, with posters, flyers and factsheets for various ages, including toddlers, teenagers, pregnant women and the elderly.

Poor oral health can affect an individual’s quality of life and lead to chronic health conditions, and access to affordable, and culturally appropriate dental care may be difficult for many Indigenous Australians, and the resources provide education in caring for oral health and details on hygiene, diet and scheduling dental visits.

The resources and artwork have been developed by Indigenous artists and health professionals commissioned by the Australian Dental Association.
 
Four themes include: 

- Having a healthy and happy smile 

- Achieving a healthy and happy smile through a holistic health approach 

- Activities to achieve holistic health including eating healthy, happiness, a healthy lifestyle, and drinking water
 
- Community health which contributes to an individual's overall health 

The four themes overlap to symbolise community and a holistic connection to health. 

The resources are available at mobsmiles.org.au