Trends in access to dental care among Australian children

From 1994 to 2005 approximately 80 per cent of children aged 5-11 years and 75% of children aged 12-17 years visited a dentist within the previous 12 months. Private dental attendance by the younger age group increased significantly from 2002 to 2005, reflecting a decline in the utilisation of the School Dental Service. Regular access to dental care for all Australian children is vital to ensure children receive preventively-focussed care, prompt treatment of dental disease and professional advice on oral hygiene. Establishing favourable dental visiting behaviour during childhood will lead to better oral health outcomes as adults. This publication provides an analysis of the dental visiting patterns of children aged 5 to 17 years during the period 1994 to 2005.