Frequently Asked Questions

  • National Oral Health Month (NOHM) is a month-long awareness campaign led by the New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA). Throughout August, we encourage New Zealanders to build healthy habits, learn more about oral health, and take simple actions that can improve oral health for life.

  • By expanding from one day to a month-long campaign, NZDA can spend more time engaging with communities, schools, workplaces, dental practices and policymakers, while promoting prevention, supporting the oral health workforce, and advocating for better access to care.

  • Week 1 – Check
    Learn about the current state of oral health in New Zealand through The 2026 Oral Health Report Card.

    Week 2 – Brush
    Take part in the 2 Mins x 2 a Day Challenge and encourage brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

    Week 3 – Connect
    Meet the people behind the profession through our Day in the Life videos and learn about prevention, advocacy, workforce sustainability and access to care.

    Week 4 – Protect
    Help tamariki become Sugar Detectives by taking part in the Sugar Wall Challenge and other Spot the Sugar classroom activities.

  • Everyone! National Oral Health Month includes activities for individuals and whānau, schools, NZDA members, dental practices, workplaces, community organisations, and anyone interested in improving oral health across New Zealand.

  • Visit the Week 2 – Brush and Week 3 – Connect pages on the National Oral Health Month website for challenge details, downloadable resources and participation instructions.

    You can also follow NZDA Healthy Smiles on Facebook and Instagram throughout August for the latest videos, weekly activities and campaign updates.

  • NZDA members can:

    • Share weekly campaign messages through your practice and social media channels.

    • Promote the State of the Nation's Smile Report Card and the Roadmap Towards Better Oral Health.

    • Take part in the Week 2 (Brush) and Week 3 (Connect) social media challenges.

    • Create a Sugar Wall in your practice during Week 4 (Protect) to help educate patients about hidden sugar in everyday foods and drinks.

    • Encourage patients and your local community to get involved.

    • Display National Oral Health Month posters and resources within your practice.

    • Help raise awareness of prevention, access to care, workforce sustainability and oral health equity.

  • Visit the National Oral Health Month website to download free fact sheets, posters, classroom activities, teacher resources, social media assets and campaign materials.

    If you would like printed resources for your school, organisation or practice, please contact Anishma Ram.

  • The NZDA Roadmap Towards Better Oral Health outlines practical recommendations to strengthen prevention, improve access to care, grow the oral health workforce and reduce oral health inequities.

    Read the Roadmap.

  • The Report Card measures New Zealand's progress, while the Roadmap identifies the actions needed to improve oral health outcomes. Together, they provide the evidence and direction needed to create healthier smiles across the country.

  • Schools are invited to take part in Week 4 – Protect: Spot the Sugar.

    Students can explore hidden sugar through fun classroom activities, educational resources and the Spot the Sugar worksheets.

    Schools can also participate in the Sugar Wall Challenge by creating a classroom, year-level or whole-school display showing how much sugar is hidden in everyday foods and drinks.

    Dental practices and NZDA members are also encouraged to create Sugar Wall displays in their practices to help educate patients and support the campaign.

    All resources are available on the National Oral Health Month website.

  • Follow NZDA Healthy Smiles throughout August for weekly activities, videos, oral health tips and campaign updates.

    Facebook: NZDA Healthy Smiles
    Instagram: @nzdahealthysmiles