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.

Featured reports

See all reports

Latest findings

In 2020–21, around 9 in 10 Australians reported that the dental professionals they saw always showed them respect

In 2019–20, 5–9 year old's had the highest rate of potentially preventable hospitalisations due to dental conditions

In 2019, there were 58.7 dentists per 100,000 population in Australia

Around three times as many children aged 10–14 years experienced toothache in 2017–18 than in 2013

In 2017–18, around 1 in 8 teenagers aged 14–17 consumed selected sugar sweetened beverages on a daily basis

In 2017, the rate of FTE dental practitioners per 100,000 in Major cities was nearly triple that in Very remote areas

Highlights

48%In 2020–21, around 1 in 2 (48%) Australians aged 15 years and over saw a dental professional in the last 12 months
67,000 hospitalisationsIn 2019–20, about 67,000 hospitalisations for dental conditions may have been prevented with earlier treatment
9 in 10In 2020–21, around 9 in 10 Australians reported that the dental professionals they saw always showed them respect
$9.5 billion was spent on dental services in 2019–20
About 7 in 10 children aged 5–14 brush their teeth with toothpaste at least twice a day
Over 1 milliondental prescriptions were dispensed in Australia each year (2013–2020)
58.7In 2019, there were 58.7 dentists per 100,000 population in Australia
1 in 8In 2020–21, around 1 in 8 adults delayed seeing or did not see a dental professional at least once due to COVID-19