National Oral Health Plan 2015–2024: performance monitoring report

Definition

Proportion of children, adolescents, adults and older adults with one or more teeth with untreated decay

Numerator
Total number of children (aged 5–14 years), adults (aged 15-64 years) and older adults (aged 65+ years) examined in the reporting period with one or more teeth with untreated decay

Denominator
Total number of dentate children (aged 5–14 years), adults (aged 15-64 years) and older adults (aged 65+ years) examined in the reporting period

Desirable rate

Low

Data sources

Public dental
State/territory public dental service data for children and adults presenting to public dental clinics

NCOHS
National Child Oral Health Study*

NSAOH
National Study of Adult Oral Health*
*National population estimates presented in COHS and NSAOH have been derived from weighted data

Inclusions

Age group
Includes all decayed teeth data captured for individuals aged 5+ years examined in the reporting period. Age is calculated from the date of birth in years (rounded down) as at the date of examination of the client when the untreated decayed teeth score is captured.

Dentition
Includes both primary and permanent teeth

Decayed teeth
(dt + DT) ⁽¹⁾
Caries is recorded as present when a lesion in a pit or fissure, or on a smooth tooth surface, has an unmistakable cavity, undermined enamel, or a detectably softened floor or wall. A tooth which is restored or sealed but also decayed should be included in the number of decayed teeth.
dt: Number of decayed deciduous/primary teeth
DT: Number of decayed permanent teeth

Exclusions

Edentulous clients
Individuals with no natural teeth present (both deciduous/primary and permanent) are to be excluded from the denominator count

Duplicate cases
Each individual should be included in the data only once—uniquely and not duplicated. If a participant has received more than one examination and dt/DT data collection in the reporting period, only the most recent record is to be counted.