Aged Care Reform
NSW oral health alliance targets aged care gaps ahead of 2027 election
Aged Care Reform
NSW oral health alliance targets aged care gaps ahead of 2027 election
Aged Care ReformAdvocacy & RightsWorkforce & Training
Australian Ageing Agenda · 8 min read · 2 hours ago
Original source
Summarised by Stellar
Key points5 points
- The NSW Seniors Oral Health Alliance, formed in late 2025, is pushing for consistent oral health standards in residential aged care, which currently vary widely across facilities.
- Workforce education is a top priority, with calls for oral health training to be embedded in university courses and continuing professional development for aged care workers.
- The alliance is advocating for increased public dental funding and expanded outreach services, noting that only about 20% of eligible people in NSW can access public dental care.
- Oral health is already part of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (outcome 5.5.7), requiring providers to maintain oral health and prevent decline.
- The alliance is targeting the 2027 NSW state election to secure stronger commitments on oral health funding and aged care reform.
Summary
A new NSW Seniors Oral Health Alliance is working to embed oral health into aged care policy, citing inconsistent standards and poor access to dental services for residents. The group, formed from a government advisory project, is advocating for workforce education, increased public dental funding, and outreach services. With the 2027 NSW state election in sight, the alliance aims to secure stronger commitments from the state government. Providers should monitor these developments as they may lead to new compliance expectations and funding opportunities.