Insurance and use of dental services

Australians are significantly more likely to visit a dentist-particularly for check-ups and preventive care services-if they have dental insurance, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report, Insurance and use of dental services: National Dental Telephone Interview Survey 2010, shows a higher proportion of Australian adults with dental insurance had made a dental visit in the last 12 months (70.9%) than those who did not have insurance (48.3%). The use of preventive care services was also more common among people with dental insurance. AIHW spokesperson Associate Professor David Brennan said a greater proportion of adults who had dental insurance visited for a check-up than those who did not have insurance.