A new survey reveals that half of all six-year-olds in Australia have tooth decay, with a five percent increase in dental disease among young children. The study, conducted by the University of Adelaide for the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, also found that every 12-year-old on average has cavities in their adult teeth.
Report author Jason Armfield noted a steady rise in dental disease since the mid-1990s, now affecting older children as well. He attributed the increase to factors such as limited access to public dental care, higher consumption of sugary foods, and lower exposure to fluorides among children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon criticized the previous government for inadequate funding of public dental health and announced a $29 million boost to the public dental scheme. She also outlined a teen dental program providing $150 vouchers for preventive check-ups, set to roll out in the new year.
However, the Australian Dental Association argued the funding is insufficient. Spokesperson John Matthews noted that total dental spending is $5 billion annually, and the government's contribution of about $250 million per year is a step but not enough. He called for a return of free school dental clinics, which he described as a fantastic community service.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) also supported reinstating free school dental services. ACOSS President Lin Hatfield Dodds warned that poor oral health in childhood often leads to adult dental problems and proposed a free preventive treatment course for adults every two years, costing $800 million from the Commonwealth with matched state funding.
