Oral health data by Local Government Area (LGA)

Dental Health Services Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health, has developed updated oral health profiles to provide local councils with population oral health data and risk factor indicators. These profiles, together with the Improving oral health - local government action guide, may inform and assist local councils when preparing their Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans or Council Plans.

The profile of each LGA includes indicators relating to:

• Potentially preventable dental hospitalisations for children 0-9 years old
• Tooth decay experience among children attending public dental services
• Tooth decay severity among children attending public dental services
• Proportion of daily smokers
• Proportion of people who ran out of money to buy food
• Water fluoridation status in towns with population greater than 1,000 people

Improving oral health - local government action guide

Local councils can improve the oral health of their communities by helping to create environments that promote oral health.

This action guide, developed in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health, outlines a range of evidence-informed actions that councils can consider when preparing their Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans and other strategies. The proposed actions are consistent with the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (VPHWP)2023–27 , which identifies the oral health impacts of excess sugar consumption and tobacco use, and the importance of healthy eating and food environments.

For further information on municipal public health and wellbeing planning go to the Victorian Department of Health webpage.