AIHW report on oral health of ATSI children

The Dental Statistics and Research Unit has published a new report for the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) confirming that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia are disadvantaged in terms of oral health. This report was authored by Armfield JM, Roberts-Thomson KF, & Jamieson L.

According to the AIHW,

"This publication provides a summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child oral health using information from the Child Dental Health Survey, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Receipt of Hospital Dental Care Investigation and the Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Oral Health in Remote Communities. Throughout the states and territories studied, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children had consistently higher levels of dental disease in the deciduous and permanent dentition than their non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander counterparts. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children most affected were those in socially disadvantaged groups and those living in rural/remote areas. Trends in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child caries prevalence indicate that dental disease levels are rising, particularly in the deciduous dentition. Indigenous children aged <5>