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

In 2017–18, about 72,000 hospitalisations for dental conditions may have been prevented with earlier treatment 9 in 10 Australians can access fluoridated drinking water The number of private dental practices accredited to the NSQHS standards nearly tripled between 2016 and 2018 In 2017–18, private health insurers paid benefits for around 31.8 million dental services provided across 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 On average, Australians spent $7.62 per week on dental fees in 2015–16 Over 1 million dental prescriptions were dispensed in Australia each year (2013–2019) In 2019–20, around 9 in 10 Australians reported that the dental professionals they saw always showed them respect Fewer adults aged 15 years and over received an oral health check-up in 2017–18 than in 2013 In 2017–18, more then 1 in 2 (56%) Australians had seen a dentist or dental professional in the last 12 months The proportion of adults with untreated tooth decay increased between 2004–06 and 2017–18 About 7 in 10 children aged 5–14 brush their teeth with toothpaste at least twice a day In 2019, there were 58.7 dentists per 100,000 population in Australia In 2017, the rate of FTE dental practitioners per 100,000 in Major cities was nearly triple that in Very remote areas

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Highlights

1 in 4children aged 5–10 have untreated tooth decay in their primary teeth
$10.5 billionwas spent on dental services in 2017–18
4 in 10people delayed or avoided a visit to the dentist due to cost
$7.62 per weekOn average, Australians spent $7.62 per week on dental fees in 2015–16
97%In 2017–18, almost all (97%) adults aged 15 years and over brushed their teeth at least once per day
72,000In 2017–18, about 72,000 hospitalisations for dental conditions may have been prevented with earlier treatment
1 in 2Australians 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