A Healthy Smile for Life

Oral Health in Austraia: The Facts

Children

Numerous studies have highlighted the problems with oral health in children. For example:

• Australian 12 year-olds have worse dental health than children in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, England, Wales, Switzerland and Uganda. ¹
• Almost half (47.4%) of Australia’s 6 year olds have decay in their baby teeth. ²
• Up to 16% of Australian children aged 4-10 have decay in more than 30% of their teeth. ³
• 10% of 6 year olds have more than 9 baby teeth with a history of decay. This is about 4.5 times the national average. ⁴
• Over 40% of 12 year olds have some history of decay in their permanent teeth. ⁵
• 10% of 12 year olds have nearly 5 permanent teeth affected by decay. This is almost 5 and a half times the national average. ⁶
• At any given age, children from lower socio-economic areas had 24% - 97% more decay in their baby teeth than those from higher socio-economic areas. ⁷

Dental Waiting Lists

• According to a recent report in the Daily Telegraph, 650,000 people are on public dental care waiting lists nationally. ⁸ Of this figure, more than 45,000 are children. ⁹
• The aim of 'Bright Smiles' is to help those children on the waiting list who are most in need.

Prevention

• Research has shown that children who brushed only once a day or less had 64% more tooth decay (caries) than those who brushed at least twice a day. ¹⁰
• Together with good nutrition, oral health can be maintained for life by following the four steps to a healthy smile – brushing, flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and visiting the dentist for regular check ups. The 'Bright Smiles' program will help spread the prevention message.

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