Dental Dreaming is an oral health promotion strategy developed in partnership by Hume Hygiene and the Rumbalara Oral Health Centre. Hume Hygiene received some funding assistance through Dental Health Services Victoria’s oral health promotion seed funding program.

However, Rumbalara is supported by the community, which is crucial for success and received no funding.

Dental Dreaming incorporates an innovative concept called ‘DATA’ (Dental Awareness Through Art). DATA integrates Aboriginal dreamtime culture and art with contempory dental health messages. DATA has been utilised to develop a culturally sensitive oral health resource kit, which includes a rainbow snake brushing chart, message stick story box and snack pack. The aim is to nurture leadership and build the capacity of local oral health professionals to deliver culturally appropriate oral health education resources.

Rumbalara initiated the concept of establishing a framework to implement such community supported oral health promotions linked to remedial treatment and oral health maintenance strategies. The strategy integrates education with treatment facilitation, and encourages behavioural change by recall and repetition.