Earlier this year, following months of lockdowns and isolation, our members began feeding back to the ADA that people were returning to dental clinics in large numbers after a long time in the oral health wilderness. Patients were grateful to have a trained professional look into their mouths and check that all was well – or fix whatever was wrong.
Dentists reported a range of issues from these long periods away from their dentist – from more cracked teeth to bruxism and other signs of anxiety, as well as treatments that needed completion. So members set about working hard to right some of the many wrongs of the pandemic.
Engaging our members and key spokespeople in this process took on an even greater importance to get the message across: that dentists were open for business and able to address their oral health needs, particularly before any health issues deteriorated further.
Then in May, the Federal election provided the ADA with an ideal opportunity to champion what we believe to be the biggest issue facing our most vulnerable – fixing the oral healthcare system for people in residential aged care.
Through extensive TV, radio, print and online interviews we were able to drive our key advocacy messages in the hope that, once the new administration had its collective feet under the desk in Canberra, it would be able to work with the ADA and other agencies, to fix this broken system. As we go to press, this still remains our firm belief.
Throughout the rollercoaster ride of the last 2 ½ years, the ADA has remained a consistent source of evidence-based information and advice to the public and to the media.
Our spokespeople have reminded Australians that dental practices are safe places to get oral health needs met, mindful of the need to keep pushing this message as this may well be the landscape of our lives for the foreseeable future. They have also consistently filled in the gaps in people’s understanding of both existing and trending new mouth-related topics including pandemic-induced bruxism, vaping, DIY whitening, fashionable oral products and their worth, and TikTok dental trends.
Through the media, the ADA has been able to push our key advocacy issues and oral health messages to an audience of millions – this year, coverage increased by a sizeable 41% on last year – as well as promote both the knowledge and skills of our members and the vital role dentists (and a healthy mouth) play in the well-being of the nation.
For examples of stories about the ADA and its many intiatives in the media and for highlights of the year’s media releases, visit News Bulletin – August 2022
