Report on oral health of NT Indigenous children

Dental services provided to more than 6000 Indigenous children in prescribed communities in the Northern Territory confirm the high prevalence of oral health problems, according to a Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report.
The report, Dental health of Indigenous children in the Northern Territory, provides information on the dental services delivered as part of the Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory National Partnership Agreement.
The report details the amount and types of dental services provided, the extent of follow-up care provided to children with dental referrals and the oral health status of children who received dental services.
Based on about 4300 children who had treatment data available, almost all children receiving a dental service also received a diagnostic service. The most common services provided were preventative (70%) and restorative (48%), followed by fluoride varnish and dental surgery (16%). However, 55% required further dental care after their initial consultation.