Snapshot of Australians' oral health

The latest Australia’s Health report shows that $8.3 billion was spent on dental services over 2011-12 . Representing 6.3% of total health spending, this was the lowest share of the total in 10 years.

About half of all people aged five and over had some level of private dental cover in 2010.

In 2010–11, the rate of hospitalisations for dental conditions which could have been avoided if the patient had received timely and adequate non-hospital care, was highest for children aged 5–9 and lowest for adults aged 25–34. The highest rates were in very remote areas and the lowest in major cities.

The report highlights ‘a lack of routinely collected dental service data’.

Published every two years by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the report is the most comprehensive analysis of the health of Australians and their health system.  The Institute is one of the bodies set to be merged into the new Health Productivity and Performance Commission, announced in the recent Federal Budget.