Oral health reports

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released two new reports on oral health care, using data from the 2010 National Dental Telephone Interview Survey:

Families and their oral health provides information on the oral health and oral health impacts experienced by Australian children and seeks to determine if this experience is closely related to the oral health of their parents. Additionally, the report explores the role family circumstances play in children's experience of oral health. 

Chronic conditions and oral health reports on the impact of oral conditions on people with a chronic condition including asthma, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, stroke, kidney disease, high blood pressure and depression. The report found that people with a chronic condition were more likely to experience toothache, be uncomfortable with their oral appearance, avoid certain foods due to oral problems and to experience orofacial pain. They were also more likely to have fewer than 21 teeth, making it difficult to chew food.