Children in Australia have better oral health than children in
many other countries, due largely to fluoridated water, says a
report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare (AIHW).
'At any given age, in both baby teeth and permanent teeth,
children who live in areas with optimal fluoridated water have less
tooth decay than those from areas with low fluoride levels,' said
Mr Jason Armfield of the AIHW's Dental Research and Statistics
Unit.
'These differences in disease experience between fluoridated and
non-fluoridated areas were as high as 66% for seven year olds,' Mr
Armfield said.
Optimal water fluoridation was associated with better dental
health for both five to six year-old and 11 to 12 year old children
regardless of the socioeconomic status of the area in which the
children lived.
The report, Water Fluoridation and children's dental health:
The Child Dental Health Survey, Australia 2002, found that
compared to children in other countries, Australian 12 year olds
have the seventh lowest average number of decayed, missing and
filled permanent teeth.
'Although Australians are doing well in the world stakes,
locally, oral health problems in children are still evident,' Mr
Armfield said.
In 2002, over 47% of six year olds had cavities in their baby
teeth. On average, for every six year old child in Australia there
were approximately two decayed, missing or filled baby teeth.
At the same time, over 42% of 12-year-olds had cavities in their
permanent teeth. For every 12 year old in Australia, there was
approximately one decayed, missing or filled permanent tooth.
Levels of dental decay in children varied around Australia with
the average number of decayed, missing or filled deciduous teeth
(five to six year-olds) highest in Queensland and the Northern
Territory and lowest in Western Australia and South Australia.
The number of decayed, missing or filled permanent teeth in 12
year olds was highest for the Australian Capital Territory,
Queensland and Tasmania and lowest for South Australia and the
Northern Territory.
Variations by state and territory reflect underlying population
levels of disease as well as differences in the targeting of
services.
17 December 2007
Further information: Mr Jason Armfield, ARCPOH,
tel. 08 8303 4050.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. +61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for the availability of Water Fluoridation and
children's dental health: The Child Dental Health Survey, Australia
2002.