Links between parents’ and children’s dental health – study finds

Children's oral health is associated with the oral health of their parents and their family circumstances according to Families and their oral health, a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. A second report, Chronic conditions and oral health, also released today by the AIHW, shows that people with chronic conditions and diseases were more likely than those without to have poor dental health. The Families and their oral health report, based on 2010 survey data, shows that about 17% of Australian children experienced an 'oral health impact' in the previous 12 months - either toothache or avoiding some foods because of oral problems. For children who experienced an oral health impact, 23% had parents who also experienced an oral health impact in the same period.