Dental attendance patterns and oral health status has been published by the AIHW this week. The findings are sourced from the 2004–2006 National Survey of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH), where a random sample of Australian adults was interviewed by telephone to collect information on dental attendance patterns and self-reported oral health. An oral examination was then undertaken to collect information on tooth decay and gum disease.
The results indicated that 40% of Australian adults visit the dentist at least once a year for a check-up while nearly 30% visit infrequently and usually for a dental problem. Those with an unfavourable pattern of dental attendance had more than 3 times the level of untreated decay and 1.6 times more teeth missing due to dental disease than those with a favourable pattern of attendance. They were also more likely to report avoiding or delaying dental care due to the cost and being very afraid or distressed when making a dental visit.
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