Adult users of Australia's public dental clinics are showing
higher rates of tooth decay but the health of their gums is
improving, according to a new report released today by the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Oral health trends among adult public dental patients
reports on the level of edentulism (loss of all natural teeth),
dental caries (decay) and periodontal (gum) disease among patients
attending public clinics between 1995-96 and 2001-02.
Among the findings, the report reveals that in 2001-02 patients
across all adult age groups had more decayed teeth-an average of
2.65 decayed teeth per patient-than in 1995-96, when the average
was 1.97 decayed teeth per patient.
The average number of missing teeth was also higher overall in
2001-02 compared to 1995-96 (6.35 and 5.50 missing teeth per
patient respectively), while the average number of filled teeth
fell from 6.62 in 1995-96 to 6.20 in 2001-02.
Figures for the rate of gum disease show an improvement in gum
health over time, with the overall percentage of patients recording
the most severe gum disease status lower in 2001-02 at 10.3%, down
from 13.0% in 1995-96.
Report co-author Dr David Brennan of the AIHW's Dental
Statistics and Research Unit said that while the overall rate of
severe gum disease had reduced over time, this trend was reversed
among patients from regional and remote locations, who also showed
a trend towards both increased numbers of missing teeth and
decreased numbers of filled teeth.
'One possible explanation for this is the considerably lower
availability of dentists outside major urban locations in
Australia.
'The financial barriers faced by public dental patients in
general-primarily people on low incomes such as aged pensioners and
the unemployed-are compounded for those in regional and remote
areas by the added burden of geographical remoteness from dental
services.'
Dr Brennan said comparisons of this latest study with earlier
studies of the wider population and patients from private practice
shows higher levels of untreated disease for public patients, who
can face lengthy waits for general dental treatment.
'The findings indicate a higher level of untreated dental decay
within the surveyed group of public patients.'
19 February 2004
Further information: Dr David Brennan, DSRU,
tel. 08 8303 4046
Professor John Spencer, DSRU, tel. 08 8303 5438
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1032
Availability: Check the AIHW
Publications Catalogue for availability of Oral health
trends among adult public dental patients - February 2004.