This final report has six chapters. The introductory chapter includes notes on the conduct of the inquiry, acknowledgements and corrections, and an outline of the structure of the report.

Chapter 2—A system in decay—highlights inequality in the current oral health system in Australia; discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the system, and the oral health of Australians; considers the adequacy of national oral health data, and ideas for improvement; compares the Australian system with those of other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and Denmark; and looks at barriers to reform in Australia.

Chapter 3—Putting the mouth back into the body—looks at evidence challenging the long-held separation of oral and dental health from general health; considers the need to move from reactive approaches to prevention and maintenance; and looks at options for better integrating oral health with general health services and assessments.

Chapter 4—Filling the gaps: improving access for priority groups. This chapter examines suggestions for addressing unmet need for priority groups who are socially, geographically, and/or economically disadvantaged.

Chapter 5—Workforce and training—focuses on the adequacy of the current dental and oral health care workforce, and outlines gaps. It considers previous and existing programs and initiatives for boosting the workforce and increasing capacity in priority areas, including rural and remote locations, special needs dentistry and public practice.

Chapter 6—Drilling down: pathways to universal access. This chapter presents a comparison of proposed models for reform, considering potential costs and benefits. It concludes with the committee's views and recommendations.