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National Oral Health Day

National Oral Health Day (NOHD) is NZDA’s annual campaign, launched in 2014 and now etched in the national calendar.

It brings Aotearoa together to celebrate and promote oral health through advocacy, education, and improved access to care pairing clear, evidence-based messages with practical tools for schools, workplaces, whānau, clubs, community teams, and dental teams. NOHD meets people where they live, learn, and work, and has helped drive lasting, systemic change across the motu.

Inception
Our inaugural 2014 theme, Dental Fitness, highlighted the link between oral and overall health, with Shaun Johnson fronting a nationwide programme that set an action-focused tone from day one.

Switch to Water (2015–2024)

The Switch to Water 30-day pledge reduced harm from sugary drinks and became a flagship health campaign across clinics, ECEs, schools, workplaces, and communities.

Impact at a glance:

  • 112,000+ participants across 300+ schools; 9,000+ rangatahi in national competitions
  • Water-only school environments grew from <10% (2014) to 87% (2024)
  • Average sugary-drink intake dropped from ~7.5 to ~3 cans/week

With its purpose achieved, Switch to Water has formally concluded. NOHD continues with refreshed themes, resources, and community stories.

NOHD 2025: Beyond Charity, Towards Change

This year’s theme shifts from individual prevention to collective responsibility. Dentists are stepping in where the system falls short, and we’re calling on Government to make essential dental care affordable and accessible for everyone.

What dentists are doing already
Through the ARCH–NZDA Dental Aid Grants, members donate time, skills, and resources to close the gap. In the past two years:

  • 300+ patients received care
  • 1,200 treatments delivered
  • 1,700 volunteer dentist hours
  • $430,000+ of treatment provided at no cost to patients

Behind those figures are real transformations, people free from pain, able to eat comfortably, smile with confidence, and re-engage with everyday life. But charity isn’t a system.

The path forward: NZDA’s Oral Health Roadmap

  • Access to care: funding that makes dental services affordable for all
  • Workforce sustainability: enough trained professionals to meet need
  • Prevention: stronger fluoridation, reduced sugar consumption, community wellbeing

Turning awareness into action
This year, dentists are inviting local MPs into practices to see unmet need first-hand and the practical solutions the Roadmap provides. Dentists are doing their part. It’s time for Government to do theirs.

How you can help
Support policies that expand access, choose prevention every day, and join the call for fair, sustainable dental funding.

Looking ahead
2025 begins a new advocacy era. In 2026, we’ll keep turning awareness into action moving New Zealand beyond charity, towards lasting change.

NZDA Roadmap cover