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released: 12 Aug 2009 author: Ellershaw A & Spencer A J media release

From 1994 to 2005 approximately 80 per cent of children aged 5-11 years and 75% of children aged 12-17 years visited a dentist within the previous 12 months. Private dental attendance by the younger age group increased significantly from 2002 to 2005, reflecting a decline in the utilisation of the School Dental Service.Regular access to dental care for all Australian children is vital to ensure children receive preventively-focussed care, prompt treatment of dental disease and professional advice on oral hygiene. Establishing favourable dental visiting behaviour during childhood will lead to better oral health outcomes as adults.This publication provides an analysis of the dental visiting patterns of children aged 5 to 17 years during the period 1994 to 2005.

ISSN 1321-0254; ISBN 978 1 74024 922 5; Cat. no. DEN 198; 72pp.; $24.00

printed copy

Full publication

Publication table of contents

  • Preliminary material
    • Title and verso pages
    • Contents
    • Acknowledgments
    • Abbreviations
    • Symbols
    • Summary
  • Body section
    1. Introduction
    2. Methodology
      1. Survey design
      2. Collection methodology
      3. Weighting
      4. Criteria for determining statistical significance
      5. Participation rates
      6. Sample size
    3. Characteristics of children
      1. Cardholder status
      2. Dental insurance
    4. Dental visiting patterns of children
      1. Child’s most recent dental visit
      2. Child’s usual pattern of dental visits
    5. Dental treatment received
      1. Received an extraction
      2. Received a filling
      3. Received a scale and clean
    6. Financial barriers to dental care
      1. Avoided or delayed visiting due to cost
      2. Cost prevented recommended treatment
      3. Dental visits were a large financial burden
  • End matter
    • References
    • List of tables
    • List of figures

Recommended citation

Ellershaw A & Spencer A J 2009. Trends in access to dental care among Australian children. Dental statistics and research series no. 51. Cat. no. DEN 198. Canberra: AIHW.