3 October 2025

NHMRC is investing nearly $4 million to drive groundbreaking oral health research that will benefit all Australians.

This funding boost will be administered through the NHMRC Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Oral Health Care in Australia 2024.

Five research projects will be supported to address the gaps in translation and implementation of effective population level oral health interventions, including health services. Based on their findings, this research could reduce overall demand on the health system as well as costs in the long term.

Senior Aboriginal research officer within The University of Adelaide’s Indigenous Oral Health Unit, Ms Joanne Hedges, will lead a silver diamine fluoride intervention aiming to reduce oral health inequities and improve social and emotional wellbeing among Indigenous youth.

These research findings have potential to change how the oral health of Indigenous children and young people is managed. Ms Hedges’ desired research impacts include cost savings on dental treatments, improved social and emotional wellbeing, and nutrition, social and learning outcomes, as well as improved quality of life for children, young people and the Indigenous community.

Associate Professor Sobia Zafar from The University of Queensland is aiming to improve equitable access to dental care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children. This project will target close collaboration with CALD communities to address barriers, co design solutions, and implement interventions that will lead to culturally safe oral health services.

Full details of the researchers and projects funded are available to download on NHMRC’s outcomes of funding rounds page.

Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh:

  • "A TCR is a one off funding opportunity designed to address critical gaps in health knowledge, directing research efforts where they’re needed most.
  • "Oral health research is a crucial part of health and medical research, aiming to improve care, treatments and services within the primary health care setting.
  • "The research funded today will expand Australian research capacity and will build a strong evidence base for targeted interventions that address oral health issues among our population and the health system generally – congratulations to all successful grant recipients."

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