Enhancement of public dental services will improve dental care to the most disadvantaged
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have higher levels of dental disease, including more untreated tooth decay and gum disease, than other Australians. Those who do receive treatment have fewer preventive appointments and many more extractions. The impact on general health of dental disease is significant. When inadequately treated, dental diseases can result in higher rates of malnutrition, low birthweight, preterm births and cardiovascular disease. Many Indigenous Australians have insufficient teeth to eat nourishing foods.
To close the gap in oral health for Indigenous Australians requires:
fluoridation of community water supplies;
more Indigenous dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists;
coherent oral health promotion strategies and an Indigenous oral health dataset; and
high-quality, comprehensive and culturally appropriate oral health care services organised and coordinated on a regional basis.
These goals require federal government resources and coordination.
