🦷 Dental Health Week Victoria 2025: Helping Kids Reach Every S‑Milestone

This year, Dental Health Week, the Australian Dental Association’s annual oral health campaign, falls from Monday 4 August to Sunday 10 August 2025 across Victoria and Australia at large  . Victoria’s dental community, supported by the ADA and the Victorian Branch (ADAVB), is promoting the exciting theme:

“Reach Every S‑Milestone”

  What Are S‑Milestones?

The ADA’s 2025 campaign breaks down your child’s oral health journey into developmental markers—or S‑milestones—that parents and caregivers can monitor:

1. Suckling & Feeding – laying the foundation before teeth even appear

2. Smile – the arrival of baby teeth and early brushing routines

3. Saliva & Protection – relying on saliva’s natural role in tooth protection

4. Speech – healthy teeth help clear pronunciation as children grow

5. Self‑Care – managing brushing, flossing, and check‑ups independently as they mature

These identified touchpoints cover the child’s journey from birth through early adolescence. While the main focus is on kids up to 8 years old, messaging extends to older children too  .

Why It Matters

• Tooth decay is among the most common chronic diseases in Australian children, yet it’s largely preventable  .

• For example, roughly 1 in 3 children aged 5–6 still have decay in baby teeth, and 1 in 4 kids aged 6–14 show decay in their adult teeth  .

• Reaching these S‑milestones on time helps form lifelong habits, promotes early intervention, and reduces the risk of major dental issues later  .

How Families Can Support S‑Milestones

The ADA encourages families to embrace four core actions during Dental Health Week—and beyond:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste appropriate to the child’s age

• Clean between teeth daily, using floss or interdental brushes once teeth start touching

• Choose a low‑sugar diet, limiting added sugars and promoting tap water

• Schedule regular dental check‑ups, including the first appointment around age 1 or when the first tooth appears

More tips:

• Use a pea‑sized dot of toothpaste from about 18 months, and teach children to spit but not rinse

• Make brushing fun: use music, games, colorful brushes, or brushing charts to build routine

• Teach children to spot hidden sugars in snacks and drinks and limit sugary treats between meals

Activities in Victoria for DHW 2025

The ADAVB and local dental teams are promoting a variety of community and clinic‑based initiatives including:

• Dental Health Week kits and posters for clinics and schools

• Community events: school visits, workshops, or local presentations

• Colouring-in competitions, bunting displays, and shareable social media assets for families and practices

One notable promotion: nib Dental Care’s colouring‑in competition, running during DHW from 4–10 August, where kids can win an electric toothbrush and celebrate Smilestones in a fun way  .

Sample Pledge: “Milestone‑By‑Milestone”

Here’s a mini‑checklist families can adopt during and after Dental Health Week:

• ✅ Ophthalmic interest: first dental visit by age 1 or when first tooth appears

• ✅ Morning & bedtime brushing: help until about age 8

• ✅ Flossing once teeth touch

• ✅ Hydration: tap water over sweet drinks

• ✅ Annual or six‑monthly dental check‑ups

• ✅ Celebrate each milestone: sharing stories to build positive associations

Celebrate when your child reaches each S‑milestone—like losing their first tooth or brushing independently. Recognition encourages them to care for their dental health  .

In Summary

Dental Health Week 2025 in Victoria (4–10 August) is not just a one‑week event—it’s a launchpad for raising awareness about oral milestones in children’s early years. Backed by the ADA, the “Reach Every S‑Milestone” campaign educates and empowers parents, caregivers, educators, and communities to nurture healthy habits from infancy through adolescence.

By focusing on appropriate milestones, consistent routines, and regular care, every child has a chance at a cavity‑free smile for life.

For the full range of materials and resources—including posters, activity books, and downloadable toolkits—visit the ADA’s Dental Health Week website and teeth.org.au  .