Our HUMANISTIC VALUES AND CULTURE

D3G's "universal social good" mission fits well with the ideals of humanism, which – in our translational realm – prioritises use of science, reason and ethics to understand the world and benefit all those living on it. It follows that our endeavours must embrace multiculturalism and inclusivity, which in turn necessitates our learning about marginalised and underrepresented groups alongside those in the mainstream, all with a view to "win-win" integration. These lofty aspirations for D3G's cultural competence add up to a Herculean undertaking, and something we'd be foolish to attempt on our own. But, by teaming up and taking various baby steps in seemingly appropriate directions as follows, we're certainly trying our best. We invite further guidance and support from those "better in the know" (contact us). To show that we're indeed making progress thanks to inputs from many, what follows is essentially a timeline of our learning process (for the latest, jump to Towards a
cultural ecosystem for translating D3 science).

D3G's worldview and values – our 'D3 family creed' (2020 – )

• Per the hit song by "Men at Work", D3G "comes from the land Down Under" (D3G Down Under) where life today is exceptionally good for many but nowhere near all – this obviously puts us in a privileged position to build a global network and pursue our scientifically-driven social mission.
• Accordingly, we undertake to work in a responsible manner befitting our modern societies – being multicultural and inclusive – and to foster our humanistic vision of helping all humankind through advancement of D3 science, education and healthcare.
• In so doing, we acknowledge that, as is typical of colonialism, the histories of many countries are marred by poor behaviour toward their indigenous peoples – who not only were forced to share their land ("country") but also had their cultural specialities and assimilation needs neglected, leading to inequities ("gaps") that persist today. Hence, we will try to help "close the gaps" and foster equalities through the work we do.
• We also gratefully salute those heroes – from Down Under and around the world – who fought for the rules-based freedom and sociocultural beliefs we leverage today.
• Last and not least, we respect the (well-evidenced) social good of science and allied reasoning, and praise our predecessors across the healthcare sector on whose shoulders we stand.

To help communicate these points across our diverse readership, we've introduced "Humanist Toothy" (2022) and "Respect D3 Science" badging (2025) to the global conversation, alongside our long-admired "Pay It Forward Toothy" (2017).

First Nations – inclusion and learning (2020–)

The D3 family proudly includes representatives from various First Nations communities around the globe. However, we're the first to say such inclusion is only a beginning. Indeed, from our early collaborative efforts, it has become clear that "both sides of the coin" (D3G, indigenous and other cultural mentors) have plenty more to learn together, before our mission can be fulfilled properly.

In 2020, respecting Australia's national observances for indigenous recognition and celebration (Reconciliation Australia, NAIDOC), we drafted the following acknowledgement alongside contextual information shaped as a forward-looking culture/values statement for D3G. And then in 2021, we introduced an annual quote taken from an article we found particularly helpful in our own learning, and added the following section about advancing From Acknowledgement to Action.

Our intent is not only to include, learn from, and support First Nations peoples, but also to set the scene for D3G's collaborative future-building by expressing thoughts on overlapping issues, past and present. While initially focussed on Australasia – but see recent expansion below – we'd like our international readership to help refine these thoughts into a translationally robust statement that has global meaningfulness – so your comments are welcomed (contact us).

D3G's FIrst Nations acknowledgement (2020 – )

D3G acknowledges Country, the mistakes of colonialism, and the residual gaps – plus the broader needs to respect history, culture, diversity and science – as we all collaborate to build a better future for humankind.

Annual learning quotes (2021 – )

2025 (source): "It’s important to preserve [cultural heritage] – not only for Australian history or for archaeology but for our people for generations to come. As more sites are “reawakened”, there is a profound effect on her people and her country. It strengthens who we are and it strengthens and heals country" Erin Wilkins

See our past learnings here.

Our cultural growth – Acknowledgement to Action (2020 – )

Following from above, our growing awareness of cultural rights and needs is certainly a good start – however, concrete progress towards universal social good awaits collaborative actions delivered across several fronts. We intend to work with indigenous and other marginalised or underrepresented sectors (e.g. females, all too often) to help shape our global attack on Molar Hypomin and childhood decay, as opportunity and resources allow. For starters, improving our accessibility to, and mentorship by, indigenous peoples, seems wise.

Sponsoring inclusion

While as a volunteer-driven, barebones charity D3G is totally "strapped for cash", some of our members and partners have wealth they're generously willing to share. Accordingly, we’re putting mechanisms in place for supporting (self-claimed) "low-income individuals", using the disadvantage-reducing principles of "pay it forward" giving, and "Robin Hood" redistribution:

(1) D3 Pay It Forward sponsorship of D3G subscriptions, event registrations, Sam's Storybooks;
(2) D3G discounting for low & middle-income country residents (events, education packs)

Cultural attachés and advisors

Led by our inspirational friend in Nigeria, Morenike Folayan, we’ve also started building a global team of “D3G cultural attachés and advisors”, many of whom are knowledgeable in both the indigenous and D3 domains. Read more about Morenike's wonderful efforts to harmonise sociocultural considerations with healthcare and science, not only across Africa but around the globe too (here, here, here, here).

D3G cultural attachés (D3-savvy)

• Morenike Folayan, paediatric & public health dentist, OA University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, D3G leadership, D3G Africa Project
• Sheri McKinstry, public health & paediatric dentist, Indigenous Dental Assoc Canada, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, Chalky Teeth Check-Durham Project
• Coming soon

Cultural advisors (other strengths)

• Coming soon

If you're willing to help us assemble and incubate these components we'd love to hear from you. There's strong need for international teamwork involving those who know – or have actually experienced – the grassroot problems (subject matter experts. patients & affected families), along with enablers (social entrepreneurs, impact investors) who delight in spotting opportunity and nurturing it through to social good. While our hearts are in the right place, we've got lots to learn and need to develop skills and grow resourcing if our dreams are to be converted at global scale. We also believe the unique patch of "D3 land" we've surveyed and pioneered translationally comprises a wonderful new cause for those interested in science-based social good – most notably, the realistic prospect of halving tooth decay worldwide by making babies healthier is something not to be sniffed at (read more).

A cultural ecosystem for translating D3 science to social good (2026 – )

In 2026, with several groundbreaking translational science projects underway – namely Chalky Teeth Check-Durham, D3G Africa Project, "Polynesian AI", "Make It Happen@D3G" – we've necessarily started broadening our cultural horizons. We're aiming to assemble a "cultural toolbox" that applies across the full spectrum of our work – i.e. from basic science through to social good. At the social end, our increasing exposure to indigenous matters is an obvious priority, whereas at the clinico-scientific end, respect for science is currently a hot topic for science-driven terminological evolution. Recognising potential synergies across this "science to social good" spectrum, we're enlisting help – from Project participants and allied stakeholders – to develop a cultural ecosystem for translating D3 science to social good. Hopefully, as hands-on experience grows, this culturally-tuned environment will eventually become robust enough – i.e. competent from individual, local & cross-cultural levels through to transculturalism – for global application by us and others. Yet from the outset, these cultural advances will undoubtedly enrich the new paradigm for "chalky teeth" we've been developing since 2020 (Toronto D3 framework) – initially focussing on the mainstream for pragmatic reasons.

An indigenous "our peoples, and our lands" metaphor seems useful for mapping both the grounds to be covered (core principles, technical foundations), and the voices deserving to be heard (consultancy, rights and needs). However, this proposition isn't as simple as it may sound. As emerged early in the development of our "Toronto D3 framework", it's important to recognise the "nonlinearity" of D3G's translational realm. Rather than a "linear A to B to C" scenario, we're in a complex yet wonderfully rich "matrix planning" situation, comprising three translational axes – one extending across the sector, another spanning from basic science to social good (research translation), and another wrapping around the globe.

As a scientifically reductionist starting point – and aware of associated pitfalls – we're now gathering key terms as follows, before fleshing out to bullet points & headings, with aspirations for an eventual translational code of practice and integrated delivery platform.

In short, our aspirational goals are global, and the aims are to marry scientific prowess, healthcare smarts, and cultural savviness for the good of humankind.

These beginnings inevitably raise as many questions as answers they provide. So don't hesitate to speak up (contact), watch this space, and wish us luck!