Celebrating 10 Years with the Inaugural Smile Friendly Awards

This year, the Australian Dental Foundation is proud to present the inaugural Smile Friendly Awards, a celebration of the people and organisations who go above and beyond to bring the oral health message to their communities.

The awards will take place on November 6 at the Adelaide Zoo, where we’ll gather to honour those who share in our vision of moving Australia towards a decay-free future, one tooth at a time.

Why the Smile Friendly Awards?
For the past 10 years, the Australian Dental Foundation has been working to reduce barriers to high-quality oral health care across schools, aged care facilities, and communities nationwide. Along the way, we’ve seen countless individuals, educators, carers, and organisations step up to champion the importance of healthy smiles.

The Smile Friendly Awards were created to shine a spotlight on these efforts, celebrating their commitment, passion, and lasting impact.

How it Works
Nominations will be put together and judged by our dedicated clinicians and support staff, who see first-hand the incredible work happening across communities every day. Finalists will be invited to a cocktail ceremony at Adelaide Zoo, where winners will be announced in a night of recognition and celebration.

Prizes and Recognition
Award winners will receive a $500 contribution towards their facility’s project of choice, a certificate of recognition, and a zoo pass, alongside the honour of being named one of the Australian Dental Foundation’s first-ever Smile Friendly Award recipients.

Who the Awards Are For
The Smile Friendly Awards are designed to acknowledge those who make a difference: the schools fostering better oral health habits, the carers ensuring residents can smile with confidence, and the individuals whose dedication leaves a lasting mark. These awards are about recognising the everyday heroes who help us all move closer to a decay-free future.

As we celebrate a decade of healthy smiles, we are excited to launch this new tradition and look forward to sharing the stories of those who make a real difference in the lives of Australians.