Oral health and dental care in Australia

Oral health and dental care in Australia - Key facts and figures 2015 has been published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The report includes statistics such as the fact that in 2010, 55% of 6-year-olds had experienced decay in their baby teeth and 48% of 12-year-olds had experienced decay in their permanent teeth.  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.  Also in 2013, approximately 19% of adults aged 65 and over had no natural teeth.  

In 2013, 64% of people aged 5 and over had visited a dental practitioner in the previous year and half had some level of private health insurance with dental cover. Total expenditure on dental services outside hospitals was $8,706 million in 2012-13, an increase from $5,945 million in 2002-03. There were approximately 56 dentists, 5 dental prosthetists, 5 dental hygienists, 3 dental therapists and 3 oral health therapists employed in Australia per 100,000 people.