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Victoria’s free dental care program for schools is expanding

Mar 26, 2026

The Smile Squad free dental program for school kids is expanding across the state. Photo by AAP

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced that Victoria’s Smile Squad free dental program is expanding to low-fee non-government schools.

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Shepparton ACE College is one of 54 schools that has been invited to participate in the initial roll-out.

A phased roll-out to all low-fee non-government schools will follow.

Aimed at saving time and money for families, the free service provides check-ups, treatment and follow-up care by mobile teams of dedicated oral health clinicians.

Ms Allan said the free dental program was an investment in health and children.

“No child or family should be left behind because dental care is too expensive,” she said.

Previously, Smile Squad was only available in government schools.

Since 2019, Smile Squad has visited more than 1000 public schools, seen more than 160,000 students and delivered more than one million oral health packs.

For more information about Smile Squad, visit health.vic.gov.au/smile-squad.