Improved oral health and an ageing population are driving
changes in dental practice activity in Australia, according to a
report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare (AIHW).
Dentists' Practice Activity in Australia: 1983-84 to
1998-99 examined trends in dental practice activity and use of
services at 5-year intervals over a 15-year period based on samples
of over 1,000 dentists across Australia.
The report was carried out by the AIHW's Dental Statistics and
Research Unit based at the University of Adelaide. It shows that
while the number of hours worked by dentists has remained stable,
appointments are getting longer and more services are being
provided per visit.
Report co-author Dr David Brennan said that while dentists are
on average seeing fewer patients per year, the patients they do see
are visiting more often and receiving more intensive services in
any given year.
'Patients are using more services, and the mix of services is
changing,' Dr Brennan said.
'There's more diagnostic and prevention treatments as well as an
increase in complex treatments such as endodontic, crown and bridge
services.'
Dr Brennan said that somewhat ironically these trends seemed to
be the result of improved oral health in both children and
adults.
'On the one hand, improved oral health in children and teenagers
is leading to greater emphasis on early diagnosis and prevention
treatments to continue good health.
'Among adults, increased numbers of people retaining their
natural teeth means more detailed diagnosis of past and present
dental problems is needed.
'On the other hand, a growing number of adults retaining more of
their natural teeth has increased the pool of teeth at risk of
dental problems. This has led to more complex endodontic and
restorative treatments, including crown and bridge services, which
help to maintain the appearance and function of natural teeth.'
'Our report shows increasing numbers of older patients attending
dental practices which-in combination with the decline in tooth
loss over recent decades-means that these patients may have complex
treatment needs in the future that will further drive the trend to
more services and longer appointments.'
8 August 2002
Further information: Dr David Brennan, AIHW
Dental Statistics and Research Unit,
tel. 08 8303 4046
Prof John Spencer, AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit, tel.
08 8303 5438
For media copies of the report: Publications Officer,
tel. 02 6244 1032, OR
Ben Osborne, Media Office, University of Adelaide, tel 08 0303
5414
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.