Who is avoiding the dentist, and who is likely to get a toothache? Latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures released
Uninsured adults are more likely to have experienced toothache (20%) than insured adults (12%), and over 40% of people living in lower income households of under $30,000 per year reported avoiding or delaying a visit to a dentist due to cost.
These are the findings of an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report Oral health and dental care in Australia: key facts and figures 2015.
Expenditure on dental services (except those in hospitals) in Australia was $8,706 million in 2012-13, an increase from $5,945 million (adjusted for inflation) in 2002-03. “The largest source of funds for this expenditure was individuals, paying directly out of pocket for 58% of total dental costs,” Dr Webster said.
AIHW spokesperson Dr Adrian Webster said that in 2013, 16% of adults with natural teeth had experienced toothache in the previous 12 months and 27% reported feeling uncomfortable about their dental appearance. The report also shows that 20% of people who were eligible for public dental care in 2013 experienced toothache, compared with almost 15% of adults who were not eligible.
In 2010, 55% of 6-year-olds had experienced decay in their baby (deciduous) teeth and 48% of 12-year-olds had experienced decay in their permanent teeth.
In 2013, approximately 19% of adults aged 65 and over had no natural teeth. The proportions were similar for females (21%) and males (17%). Of those aged 65 and over with natural teeth, nearly half (42%) wore dentures.
In 2013, half of the population (50%) aged 5 and over had some level of private health insurance with dental cover, and 64% had visited a dental practitioner in the previous year. 44% of adults aged 18 and over had regular dental check-ups with the same dental provider.
Overall, in 2013, there were approximately 56 dentists, 5 dental prosthetists, 5 dental hygienists, 3 dental therapists and 3 oral health therapists employed per 100,000 people. The majority of dentists (90%) were general dentists and the remainder were specialists.
“Major cities had the highest number of practising dentists-about 63 per 100,000 people-while this was lowest in Remote/Very remote areas, at about 26 per 100,000.” said Dr Webster.