1 8 THE 2025 GLOBE SECTION HIGHLIGHTS A new chapter in South Pacific expansion and global outreach S ection VIII is now recognized as Australia, New Zea- land and South Pacific. This region includes Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Niue, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea. This expansion follows dis- cussions between these island nations and the ICD Board. The Section held three induction ceremonies in 2025: Perth, Western Australia, in May; Christchurch, New Zealand, in August; and Port Vila, Vanuatu, in September. The Vanu- atu event marked a historic milestone as the first induction ceremony held in a Pacific country. It was also the first time in the 61-year history of Section VIII that a ceremony took place outside Australia or New Zealand. Global humanitarian outreach and impact Section VIII provides grants to diverse groups committed to oral health equity. Project Yeti, based in Kathmandu, Nepal, provides dental care to underprivileged populations, includ- ing the monks of Kopan Monastery. With two volunteer clin- ics and a third under construction, the project delivered over 100 checkups, fissure sealants and endodontic treatments in September 2025. The ICD funding was used to purchase an endodontic kit, a portable X-ray machine and clinical con- sumables. In New Zealand, the Northland Mouthguard Project 2025 provided free customized mouthguards to rugby league play- ers in underserved communities. Additionally, the Commu- nity Outreach Dental Clinic in Adelaide, South Australia, treats vulnerable patients while training final-year dental and oral health therapy students. In 2025, the clinic provid- ed more than 1,400 hours of care across 900 appointments. ICD grant funding replaced outdated curing lights and fund- ed new handpieces to maintain high clinical standards. Infrastructure upgrades in Dili The ABSO Timor-Leste Cleft Lip and Palate Programme sends teams of orthodontists to Dili every six weeks. These specialists provide essential treatment for patients ranging from 4-year-old children to adults who previously lacked ac- cess to care. Many face significant speech and eating difficul- ties. For those unable to receive palatal bone grafts, manage- ment includes the placement of obturators after treatment. The ICD grant improved program infrastructure and patient education. This support enabled the installation of a donated OPG machine and clinic and internet upgrades. To enhance health literacy, the grant also funded instruction sheets in Portuguese, Tetum and English, alongside essential oral hygiene kits and clinical consumables Scan for More President Ian Myers SECTION VIII AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH PACIFIC Annual Induction in Port Vila, Vanuatu
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