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released: 1 Dec 2010 author: AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit media release

The trends in dental care among Australian dentate (have some natural teeth) adults from 1994-2008 are investigated in this report, drawn from the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey (NDTIS) conducted in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2008. It compares the services received by those eligible for public dentistry and those who are not.

ISSN 1445-775X; ISBN 978-1-74249-076-2; Cat. no. DEN 205; 4pp.; INTERNET ONLY

Main findings

During the period 1994–2008, cardholders were less likely than non-cardholders to:

  • make a dental visit in the 12 months prior to the survey
  • visit a private dentist
  • visit for a check-up
  • receive a scale and clean
  • report that they usually visited a dentist once a year or that they usually visited for a check-up.

Cardholders were more likely than non-cardholders to:

  • receive a dental extraction
  • report that they avoided or delayed dental care due to cost or that cost had prevented them receiving recommended dental treatment.

Recommended citation

AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit 2010. Trends in access to dental care among Australian adults: in brief. DSRU research report no. 47. Cat. no. DEN 205. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 13 June 2013 <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442472418>.