Share

Improving oral health for people experiencing homelessness in Victoria

Oral Health Victoria is developing pilot initiatives to improve oral health access and outcomes for people experiencing homelessness through prevention and early intervention.

Oral health isn’t just about teeth. It affects confidence, dignity, overall general health and the ability to participate in everyday life – whether that’s the ability to eat a healthy meal, to turn up to class or to attend a job interview. Good oral health is important for overall health, confidence and quality of life.

We are proposing a flexible, readiness-based oral health approach focussed on prevention and early intervention

prevention and early intervention approach

We used co-design to develop practical and realistic solutions

We are not designing the program alone. We are grateful to be working in partnership with people with lived experience of homelessness, homelessness sector service providers, and oral health professionals.

Co-design workshops

Improving oral health access for people experiencing homelessness is a trust, navigation and system design challenge

Trust, navigation and system design challenge

What's next?

During 2026-2027, we will:

  • Share what we’re learning and build stronger partnerships with organisations across Victoria.
  • Develop and test pilot activities in community settings.