Poor results from the recent national oral health survey, in combination with eradication of the CDBS has elicited an outcry from the Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists Association (ADOHTA). ADOHTA are calling for “less talk and more action” by the government when it comes to affordable oral health care.
The figures, while disappointing—25 per cent of children in Australia under the age of 11 have untreated tooth decay—come as no surprise to Oral Health Professionals (OHPs), said Hellene Platell ADOHTA President.
“The research released by the University of Adelaide is certainly of extreme cause for concerns for those in our industry and for all Australians, both with or without children.
“The findings themselves speak to what many OHPs have been saying for years, that Australia has an issue in delivering effective and affordable oral health care to its population and something needs to be done about it.”
The survey exposed some other shocking statistics: of the primary school children surveyed 50 per cent had decayed baby teeth; in the nine—14 age group one in seven had not had treatment for the decay in their permanent teeth. ADOHTA has called the government to action after such poor results.
“We have an intergovernmental National Oral Health Plan which says 100 per cent of children should see a dentist,” said Platell. “However we have studies, such as these found [sic] that only one in nine children never made a dental visit.
“With the recent changes made to commonwealth dental funding, our organisation only sees these issues becoming more of a problem for Australians, both young and old.”
Platell recommended the government utilise the OHP workforce better to address these ongoing issues.
“We are in the process of consulting with State governments around Australia, the private health insurance industry as well as the major parties at the federal level.
“For over 10 years our organisation has been calling for the better use and recognition of the OHP workforce, which could potentially have huge saving implications for the Commonwealth, States and Territories.
“These findings should now, more than ever, alert governments nationwide to stand up and take practical evidence based actions to fix the issues at hand and provide effective and affordable oral health care for all Australians.”
