"Oral Health is fundamental to overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. A healthy mouth enables people to eat, speak and socialise without pain, discomfort or embarrassment.1 The impact of oral disease on people's every day lives is subtle and pervasive, influencing eating, sleep, work and social roles. The prevalence and recurrences of these impacts constitutes a silent epidemic. Dental caries is the second most costly diet-related disease in Australia, with an economic impact comparable with that of heart disease and diabetes (AHMAC 2001). Approximately $3.7 billion was spent on dental services in the year 2001-02, representing 5.4 percent of total health expenditure (AIHW 2003a). Despite significant improvements in the oral health of children in the last 20-30 years, there are persistent high levels of oral disease and disability among Australian adults (AIHW 2002a). Poor oral health in this country is most evident among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people on low incomes, rural and remote populations, and some immigrant groups from non-English speaking background, particularly refugees (AHMAC 2001)." -- Executive summary.