New facts and figures on oral health in Australia
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has produced a report – Adult Oral Health, 2004–06.
It provides data on the percentage of persons receiving x-rays, scale and clean services, fillings, crown/bridge, gum treatment, extractions and denture services by the patient characteristics of age, sex and income, and by the reason and site of their last dental visit.
The main details are:
• Service patterns varied by sex with a higher percentage of females receiving scale and clean services, and more preventative services, and a higher percentage of males receiving extractions.
• In age-related differences, a higher percentage of older persons received scale and clean services, fillings, crown/bridge, gum treatment, extractions and denture services, compared with young people who had more X-rays).
• Income was related to service patterns, with a higher percentage of persons in high income groups receiving scaling and cleaning services, and lower percentages of them receiving extractions and dentures. Lower income was associated with less emphasis on prevention and higher levels of tooth loss.
