Thousands of children are being admitted to hospitals for entirely preventable oral health issues, and the number is increasing every year. New data released for World Oral Health Day today has shone a startling light on Australian kids’ dental health.
The Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Tracker has revealed some alarming statistics every parent needs to see!
- 11 out of every 1,000 kids were admitted to hospitals for preventable dental health issues in 2021-2022.
- This is an increase from 9.5 per 1,000 in 2018.
- The number is even higher for indigenous children at 14 per 1,000.
But why are our kids’ dental health numbers so high?
In a large amount of cases, sugary drinks might be the main culprit. ADA President Dr Scott Davis highlighted some alarming facts, including:
- 70% of kids aged 9-13 and 73% aged 14-18 are having too much sugar
- 37% of kids are drinking 2-5 fruit juice beverages a week and a similar number of kids drink soft drinks.
As a first-world country, with our kids having access to fluoridated water*, healthy food, and the tools necessary for keeping decay at bay, Dr Davis finds this figure hard to believe. But, he says, there are complex reasons for this.
“Cost is always an issue, and this continued trend of children needing to go to hospital to get their oral health problems fixed, indicates that we have a significant problem today and for the future,” Dr Scott Davis.
Have you registered for the Child Dental Health Benefits Scheme?
An arm of Medicare with a focus on improving children’s dental health, the Child Dental Health Benefits Scheme allows Australian families who receive a relevant government benefit such as Family Tax Benefit A to receive $1,095 every two years for their child aged between 0-17. Have you signed up? It doesn’t come automatically so ensure you apply through your Centrelink account. Find out more at the Services Australia website.
“There needs to be considerably more effective, targeted publicity of the Child Dental Benefits Scheme as it’s currently only used by 38% of eligible families,” Dr Scott Davis.
Why are kids not visiting the dentist?
There’s no cut and dry reason as to why children are finding themselves in hospital and not in the dentist’s chair. However, some reasons may include:
- The cost: If you are unaware of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (see above), you might find it too expensive to access dental care. The rising cost of living may also make it difficult for families to buy healthy, non-processed, low sugar food for their families.
- Fear and anxiety: Some children, and even some parents, may have a fear of dental procedures or anxiety about visiting the dentist, which can lead to avoidance.
- Lack of awareness: Some parents may not fully understand the importance of regular dental check-ups for their children or may not be aware of the potential consequences of not taking them to the dentist.
- Busy schedules: Parents may have busy schedules with work, school, and other commitments, making it difficult to find the time to schedule and attend dental appointments for their children.
- Access to care: In some areas, there may be a lack of access to dental care, either due to a shortage of providers or limited availability of appointments, which can make it challenging for parents to take their children to the dentist.
- Negative past experiences: If a child or parent has had a negative experience at the dentist in the past, they may be hesitant to return for future appointments.
- Fear of judgment: If you take your child to the dentist and their teeth are not perfect, you might fear being judged and someone might assume you’re not taking care of your kids.
Lack of funding for kids dental health surgeries
Up to 60% of the access to hospital theatre space for dental surgeries has been lost for both public and private hospitals, and according to Dr Nicky Kilpatrick, President of the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, this has resulted in very delayed care for private paediatric patients and a blow out in the already years-long paediatric dental waiting lists in public hospitals.
“In the meantime, these patients are in pain, not sleeping, and potentially risking facial infection and swelling which can be a medical emergency,” Dr Kilpatrick
Current hospital funding models mean dental surgery is less profitable than others, such as grommets or cataracts, according to Dr Davis, which pushes out waiting lists. More than 1,500 children each year cannot access dental treatment, which looks like it will only worsen.
7 things we can do to prevent poor dental health
To prevent your kids from ending up with poor dental health, start dental care early.
- Don’t let babies and toddlers fall asleep with a bottle in their mouths
- Brush your child’s teeth regularly with a child toothbrush, morning and night. Floss at least once a day.
- Floss your children’s teeth from two years of age, once they have two teeth side by side.
- Be careful with the amount of sugar your children consume
- Model good dental behaviour
- Learn about dental programs or funding in your area
- Make and keep your children’s dental appointments. Start going as soon as their first tooth appears.
Teeth.org.au has a great guide for dental care for babies and toddlers. Watch the Australian Dental Association’s video below for more tips on kids dental health and hygiene.
You can check your child’s teeth at home by lifting their top lip and rolling down their bottom lip to look at their teeth. If you see white, brown, or black spots on the teeth that do not rub or brush away, it is best to make an appointment with your dentist to have their teeth checked. These spots can be a sign of tooth decay. This at-home check does not replace a check-up by a dental professional.
Dental health is sometimes overlooked because we don’t act until we see a problem. Yet dental care is one instance where the old adage “prevention is better than a cure” rings true.
World Oral Health Day
March 20 is World Oral Health Day and this year’s theme is ‘A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Body!’. The campaign is focusing on the intricate link between oral health and general health. To find out more, visit the World Oral Health Day website.
*Water fluoridation is where fluoride is added to a public water supply. This is done to reduce the chances of tooth decay.
