Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment: Oral Health Programs, July 2012 to December 2016

The Australian Government has been funding oral health services for Indigenous children in the Northern Territory since 2007. In 2016, 3,426 Indigenous children received clinical services, and preventive services such as full-mouth fluoride varnish applications were provided to 4,502 Indigenous children and fissure sealant services to 2,019 children. Tooth decay experience varied by age, with 90% of children aged 6 and 88% of 9-year olds having tooth decay. There have been improvements in the oral health of younger service recipients, with the average amount of tooth decay in children aged 1–3 decreasing by 19%, and an 11% decrease among 8 year olds between 2013 and 2016.