30 June 2025
What is VOHA?
V
OHA is the Victorian Oral Health Alliance. VOHA is an advocacy group made up of representatives from 25 leading professional, welfare, and consumer organisations alongside community dental service providers around the state, united in their commitment to improve oral health and access to dental care in Victoria. VOHA is chaired by Spokesperson Mr Tony McBride, with strong strategic and operational support provided by the ADAVB.
The alliance advocates for equitable initiatives that improve the oral health for Victorians most susceptible to oral diseases. VOHA presents a unified front to decision-makers, such as the Department of Health staff and Members of Parliament, making it harder to ignore and more likely to influence meaningful change.
VOHA Membership:
Why VOHA Matters
Oral health is often overlooked in broader health policy discussions, despite its significant impact on quality of life and systemic health. VOHA plays a crucial role in:
- Amplifying advocacy through a united front that is harder for decision-makers to ignore.
- Influencing policy by presenting well-informed, community-aligned recommendations.
- Driving change that reflects the lived experiences of both practitioners and patients.
By working collaboratively, VOHA ensures that advocacy efforts are not only strategic but also inclusive and impactful.
ADAVB’s Role in VOHA
The ADAVB is the driving force behind VOHA. Under the leadership of former CEO Gary Pearson (1991–2017), ADAVB helped establish the alliance around 2006.
ADAVB continues to play a central role in VOHA’s operations and advocacy efforts. Our involvement ensures that the dental profession’s voice is heard within a broader coalition, strengthening our ability to influence policy and improve oral health outcomes for all Victorians.
Advocacy is most powerful when it reflects many voices—not just a single interest group. Our participation and advocacy through VOHA using a collaborative approach is strategic and valuable because it amplifies impact: it ensures that advocacy is informed by real-world experience, backed by evidence, and aligned with the needs of the communities we serve.
For further information, resources and to sign up to VOHA’s mailing list, visit: voha.org.au | voha@adavb.org
