Summary

Residents of rural and remote areas of Australia reported:

  • higher rates of complete tooth loss
  • lower percentage of persons having made a dental visit in the previous 12 months
  • problem-oriented dental visiting patterns; and
  • more extractions in the previous 12 months.

Card-holders from rural and remote areas suffered greater disadvantage compared to those from urban locations with less favourable patterns of tooth loss and dental visiting. Geographic inequalities in access to dental care exist in Australia.