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released: 3 Nov 2008 author: AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit

Demand for dental care reflects people's want or desire for care and willingness to pay for services. Demand is expressed as the use of dental services and hence is measured in dental visits received in a given year. This report provides information on the change in demand for dental care among Australians during the period 1979 to 2005. It also presents projected demand for dental care through to 2020.

ISSN 1445-775X; Cat. no. DEN 190; 8pp.; INTERNET ONLY

Main findings

  • The rates of edentulism have decreased substantially from 15.4% in 1979 to 5.2% in 2005.
  • The number of dental visits per dentate person (per capita demand) has increased by half, from 0.99 in 1979 to 1.50 in 1995; however, in the decade from 1995 to 2005, per capita demand has remained stable.
  • The number of services supplied per dental visit has increased by one-third (33%) over the period 1983 to 2003.
  • Between 1983 and 2003 the largest increase in number of services provided per dental visit occurred for diagnostic, preventive and endodontic services.
  • Per capita demand is expected to increase by 22.7% in the 65–74 years age group compared to 1.8% in the 25–34 years age group between 2005 and 2020.
  • The number of dental visits is projected to increase from 28.2 million visits in 2005 to 38.8 million visits in 2020.
  • Demand for dental services is projected to increase from 65.5 million services in 2005 to 94.6 million services in 2020.

Recommended citation

AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit 2008. Projected demand for dental care to 2020. DSRU research report no. 42. Cat. no. DEN 190. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 13 January 2013 <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442468177>.