HIGHLIGHTS
- Smile Squad, a Victorian Government initiative, provides oral health care within schools.
- Abt evaluated the Smile Squad program’s impact and outcomes.
- Smile Squad provided equitable access to oral care and saved parents time and money.
PROJECT
Impact and Outcome Evaluation of Smile Squad
The Challenge
In the 2019-2020 state budget, the Victorian Government announced an AUD 321.9 million investment over four years for the school dental program, Smile Squad. Smile Squad’s goal is to improve the oral health of school-aged children and promote better oral health in their adult years. Equitable access to dental health services and time and cost savings for parents and guardians were two important considerations behind rolling out this program.
Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) engaged Abt to undertake an impact and outcomes evaluation of Smile Squad’s implementation in all government schools in Victoria.
The Approach
Abt used a mixed methodology evaluation technique to analyse data at multiple timepoints during the three-year project (2021-2024).
The evaluation included a point-in-time and longitudinal data analysis that used data from the Smile Squad clinical database, program data, and a consent questionnaire to understand the program’s patterns of acceptance and impact.
The evaluation team conducted a 360-degree assessment, collecting qualitative data through parent surveys, focus groups, and interviews with school staff, students, parents, caregivers, community dental agency staff, and key program and state-wide stakeholders. In addition to quantitative and survey data from all participating schools, the evaluation applied a case-study approach to a targeted sample of 35 schools, delivering an in-depth analysis of the Smile Squad’s process and impact.
The Results
The evaluation results clearly show that Smile Squad met its two primary objectives: providing equitable access to oral health services and saving parents time and money. Families highly valued the convenience of on-site, free dental care for all children. The program effectively targeted schools in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student participation reflecting the population proportion, ensuring equity for those with the greatest need. Immediate impact is evident, with 52% of parents reporting that their children are more willing to clean their teeth and 28% making healthier food choices since Smile Squad's implementation.