Overview

Good oral health is an integral part of good general health and wellbeing. Oral health can affect a person’s diet and nutrition and, as a result, their overall health, and can also have a range of social impacts.

Latest findings

About 7 in 10 children aged 5–14 brush their teeth with toothpaste at least twice a day Australians aged 15 and over have an average of 12.8 decayed, missing or filled teeth In 2014–15, about 1 in 2 Australians had seen a dentist or dental professional in the last 12 months Around 9 in 10 Australians aged 15 and over reported that the dental professionals they saw always showed them respect In 2016, there were 57.7 dentists per 100,000 population in Australia In 2016–17, about 70,200 hospitalisations for dental conditions may have been prevented with earlier treatment On average, Australian households spent $7.62 per week on dental fees in 2015–16 Over 1 million dental prescriptions were dispensed in Australia each year (2013–2017)

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Highlights

42%of all children aged 5–10 have experienced tooth decay in their primary teeth (‘baby teeth’)
1 in 25Australians aged 15 and over have no natural teeth
3 in 10adults aged 25–44 have untreated tooth decay
$10.2 billionwas spent on dental services in 2016–17
1 in 4children aged 5–10 have untreated tooth decay in their primary teeth
3 in 10people delayed or avoided a visit to the dentist due to cost
1 in 2 Australians had seen a dentist or dental professional in the last 12 months in 2014-15
1 in 2people aged 5 and over have some level of private health insurance cover for dental expenses