Vietnam’s oral health sector is entering a new era of evidence-based reform with the launch of the National Oral Health Survey 2025–26.
The research project was officially launched at the Vietnam International Dental Exhibition & Congress (VIDEC) in Hanoi, on 22 August. The event attracted senior figures from Vietnam’s Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Borrow Foundation, and leading academic and clinical institutions.
Leading this initiative is Professor Loc Do, Research Chair at The University of Queensland’s (UQ) School of Dentistry, whose expertise is dentistry and oral epidemiology has shaped the survey’s scope, methodology, and strategic objectives.
“This survey is a foundational step toward systemic reform—grounded in data, equity, and prevention,” Professor Do said.
“Oral health has long been sidelined in national health strategies, despite its deep impact on wellbeing and productivity. Dental care remains inadequate in many low- and middle-income countries like Vietnam, where oral conditions significantly affect quality of life.
“Our project will generate the evidence needed to inform national oral health strategies—something Vietnam currently lacks. Success here could serve as a model for similar countries in the region.”
Spanning 14 provinces and 96 communes, the survey will combine clinical oral exams with social surveys to assess disease burden, behavioural risks, and access to care. A fluoride mapping initiative and national scientific forums will follow, translating research into policy and aligning Vietnam’s strategy with the WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan 2030.
The findings will inform:
- National guidelines on fluoride use
- National oral health messages
- A National Oral Health Roadmap
Backed by the Borrow Foundation, the project is a collaboration between UQ, Vietnamese research institutions, and the Ministry of Health. It draws on Professor Do’s and the Population Oral Health at UQ’s (POHUQ) experience leading Australia’s national oral health studies and applies globally validated protocols for comparability and impact.
Dr Diep Ha has joined Professor Do as co-lead investigator. A veteran of Australia’s oral health surveys, Dr Ha will lead a team of more than 40 dental public health experts to fill critical gaps in Vietnam’s oral health surveillance and policy infrastructure. The project is delivered in collaboration with in-country partner organisations including Vietnam Odonto-Stomatology Association (VOSA), Hanoi National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, and Ho Chi Minh City National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology.
Vietnam continues to face high rates of dental caries, periodontal disease, and tooth loss, especially among disadvantaged groups. Preventive behaviours are limited, and services remain treatment-focused and under-resourced.
The WHO’s Global Oral Health Status Report identifies Vietnam as a priority country for reform. They survey aims to respond to this need with data-driven, context-specific solutions.
In a virtual address, UQ’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove, emphasised the broader significance of the project, stating,
“This is more than research—it’s a strategic investment in Vietnam’s health future. It shows how universities can drive international development through science, solidarity, and shared goals.”
UQ’s deep engagement with Vietnam includes partnerships with 25 institutions, more than 450 co-authored publications, and joint projects in areas such as dengue prediction and food system resilience. The oral health survey builds on this foundation, reinforcing the power of sustained academic collaboration.
This newly established initiative contributes to the strategic objectives of UQ Global Partnerships in advancing international collaboration. In 2023, Dr Ha and Professor Do were awarded seed funding through the Global Partnerships Funding Scheme to undertake their project ‘Designing a roadmap to empower community health workforce in integrating oral health and general health in rural Vietnamese population.’ This work will contribute to the university’s development of key partnerships with Vietnamese institutions.
