Intakes of free sugars exceed WHO recommendation

The latest Australian Health Survey shows that Australians consumed an average of 60 grams of free sugars* a day (equivalent to 14 teaspoons of white sugar). According to the 2011-12 survey, which has just been released, the majority of free sugar intakes comes from added sugars with an average 52 grams (or 12 teaspoons), with 7 grams of free sugars coming from honey and fruit juice.

Intakes of free sugars were highest among teenage males (aged 14-18 years), who consumed an average 92 grams a day. The top 10% of the 14-18 year-old males were estimated to usually consume at least 160 grams (or 38 teaspoons) of free sugars a day.

Just over half of all Australians aged two years and over exceeded the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation to limit energy from free sugars to less than 10% of dietary energy.

The majority (81%) of free sugars were consumed from the energy-dense, nutrient-poor ‘discretionary’ foods and beverages. Just over half (52%) of free sugars in the diet were consumed from beverages, with the leading beverages being soft drinks, electrolyte and energy drinks (19%), fruit and vegetable juices and drinks (13%) and cordial (4.9%). The leading foods were confectionary and cakes/muffins (each contributing 8.7%).

Striving to fight obesity and dental caries, ADA is a partner in the Rethink Sugary Drink campaign.

* Free sugar is any sugar that is added to foods by the manufacturer plus that which is naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices. It does not include sugar naturally present in milk or whole fruit and vegetables.

Public dental waiting times to increase

Public dental waiting times will increase in Victoria. This is because the State Budget allocation for dental services has remained flat at about $206 million. At the same time Victoria’s population continues to grow at 1.7% per year and costs of service delivery (mainly wages and material costs) continue to rise..

The stagnant funding comes on top of the Federal Child Dental Benefits Schedule ending and being replaced by a scheme for adults and children with about 33% less funding per annum. The new Child and Adult Public Dental Scheme will be operated by State and Territory public dental services.

The Budget papers say that Victoria’s forecast waiting times for general dental care remain unchanged at 23 months, however the ADAVB expects this to increase rapidly from 1 July due to the expansion of the eligible population.

Funds for dental health services for next financial year have been cut from $207.8 million to $206.2 million.

ADAVB President Dr Stephen Liew said the Government should lead on oral health, not have flat funding. He said the cuts will be further compounded by the Federal Government’s decision to introduce a new public dental scheme.

“The population is growing and so are the needs of Victorians, especially those in low socio-economic situations," he said. "In 2013-14, more than 15,000 Victorians were hospitalised due to dental conditions. These people might have avoided hospitalisation if they were able to see a dentist for early treatment. This situation needs to be fixed – sadly this year’s Budget has not provided the remedy."

“The State Government claims that the Budget ‘is all about delivering on things that Victorians need the most: good hospitals and schools, reliable roads and public transport, and secure jobs’   – obviously the oral health of Victorians is not a high priority."

New dental scheme challenged

The ADAVB has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to continue to fund public dental treatment, however there are considerable issues with its approach.
 

The Association believes that the funding under the proposed Child and Adult Public Dental Scheme (caPDS) is poorly targeted, and will increase waiting times for many people, especially children who need it most (Dental Health Services Victoria reports that children from lower socio-economic backgrounds have 70% more decay than those from higher income families). 

Under the new scheme, treatment will be provided only be public sector dentists unlike the current Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) where eligible people can access treatment in both the public and private sectors.

Successful public-private partnership

The CDBS is an example of a successful public-private sector partnership, which effectively delivered targeted dental care to the most-needy children, with 97% of services delivered at no additional cost to patients.

ADA believes that restricting access to care to the under-resourced public sector will limit expenditure due to lack of ability to use services. It is this valve that will confine spending to $420 million a year, as patients won’t be able to access the care supposedly available. This annual allocation is 33% less than the figure of $615 million in last year’s Budget. 

Despite this, the Government claims that the new scheme will provide services to six million adults and children. Under the current scheme, three million children were eligible for treatment.

Public sector will be stretched

The reality is that the new scheme cannot possibly be delivered by the public dental services alone – they are already over-extended with waiting lists of nine months to three years. In Victoria, the current waiting time for general dental treatment for adults is 12.6 months. Dental Health Services Victoria reports that only 26% or the eligible population is accessing public dental care in Victoria over a two-year period. 

With 10.5 million people, including children, eligible, and an extra 600,000 to be treated each year, people could potentially only receive one treatment every 17 years.

People in rural and remote communities will be further disadvantaged.

Australian Dental Health Plan

The ADA has provided a considered solution with its Australian Dental Health Plan, which has been overlooked by the Federal Government while the caPDS has been roundly criticised. 

• The National Oral Health Alliance has pointed out that the caPDS represents a cut, not an increase, in funding.
• Australian Dental Association President Dr Rick Olive labelled the new scheme a budget-saving measure, “resulting in a reduction of about $200 million per annum for dental care”.
• The Doctors Reform Society said it was an “outrageous attack” on Australians’ dental health.
• Greens’ Leader Dr Richard Di Natale said: “This plan is a shocker,” claiming that “80% of dental clinics will be off-limits using this program, which relies only on dental systems run by the States”.

Choice says health costs a major concern for consumers

The latest Consumer Pulse Report prepared by Choice shows that health or medical expenses remain a key cost concern with 68% of consumers listing them as “a pain point”.

This finding follows the private health insurance price increase. The report found electricity remains the number one cost concern at 77%, followed by food and groceries (72%), then health and medical expenses.

Choice’s CEO Mr Alan Kirkland said: “Consumers of all ages are concerned about the cost of essential medicines (63%) and the cost of visiting their GP (55%). Coupled with the recent private health insurance price hike, health cost pressures are starting to hit home”.

Choice pointed out five things political parties can promise consumers that will help with cost-of-living issues and give people greater confidence in the financial system. The first on the list is reforming the health insurance market to make it easier for people to compare products and to stop subsidising junk policies.

Have your say on the future of oral health in rural Victoria

The average number of teeth with untreated decay in the State’s rural areas is 18% higher in children and 47% higher in adults compared with metropolitan areas for patients presenting to public dental clinics, according to Dental Health Services Victoria.

Likewise, the average number of teeth affected by decay in rural areas is 29% higher in children and 5% higher in adults compared with metropolitan areas.

DHSV’s figures show that 59% of children presenting to public dental clinics in rural areas have had a history of tooth decay compared with 51% metro.

The data was released to coincide with the agency announcing that Victorians can take part in formulating the agency’s Strategic Plan for 2016-2021.

CEO Dr Deborah Cole (pictured) said: “We believe that every Victorian, no matter where they live or what they earn, should be able to live free from the pain, suffering and social stigma associated with poor oral health”.

Sugary drinks tax could save lives - study

A 20% tax on sugary drinks in Australia could save more than 1600 lives and raise $400 million a year for much-needed obesity prevention initiatives, new research co-authored by the Obesity Policy Coalition has revealed.

The impact of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages on health and health care costs: a modelling study, has been published in PLOS ONE .

It reveals how taxing soft drinks and other high-sugar beverages in Australia could result in a 12.6% reduction in consumption, delivering significant health benefits including:
• 1,606 more Australians alive in 25 years, having avoided premature death due to weight-related diseases
• Reduction in common weight-related health conditions in 25 years, including:
   o 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes
   o 4400 fewer cases of heart disease
   o 1100 fewer cases of stroke.

Co-author of the study, OPC Executive Manager Jane Martin, said this research highlights why a 20% tax on sugary drinks is needed in Australia. The UK Government recently announced a tax on soft drinks.

With sugary drinks contributing to cavities and tooth erosion, the Australian Dental Association supports the Rethink Sugary Drink campaign.

Fluoridate more towns, says ADATas

With 36 towns Tasmanian towns not having fluoridated water, dentists have urged the State Government to extend fluoridation to rural communities to fight poor oral health.

In a submission to the Government, the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Dental Association has called for communities with as few as 500 people to have access to fluoridated water supplies.

Tasmania has the worst adult oral health in the nation, blamed partly on a more decentralised population reliant on non-fluoridated drinking water. (Ironically, Tasmania was the first State to introduce fluoridated water in the gold mining town of Beaconsfield in 1953.)

According to The Mercury newspaper, towns without fluoridated water are: Adventure Bay, Bell Bay, Bicheno, Bothwell, Bracknell, Branxholm, Colebrook, Coles Bay, Conara, Cornwall, Currie, Derby, Dowlings Creek, Ellendale, Epping, Fingal, Gladstone, Gormanston, Grassy, Gretna, Herrick, Judbury, Lady Barron, Legerwood, Mathinna, Maydena, Mole Creek, Mountain River, Ouse, Pioneer, Ringarooma, Scamander, Tullah, Tunbridge, Wayatinah and Whitemark.

The submission also supported a plan for a “smoke-free generation” rather than a proposal to increase the legal smoking age to 21 or 25.

2016 ADAVB Convention & Dental Show - Early bird discount closing April 30

Members - have you booked your 2016 ADAVB Convention tickets? Get together with your colleagues and register now to take advantage of the significant early bird savings - before April 30.

Don't miss a dynamic line-up of expert speakers bringing you and your dental team the latest in research, technologies, best practices and trends in dentistry.

Why attend?

• It's one comprehensive event for your whole practice.
• Earn 12 CPD hours.
• Learn from and meet highly qualified and respected international and local dentistry experts.
• Take a break from the everyday routine and enjoy a valuable professional development opportunity in a fantastic city venue.
• Catch up with colleagues and make new connections.
• Attend the convention member forum and share your ideas.
• Unwind and enjoy a fabulous social occasion at the eviDent Dinner, at the spectacular River's Edge.
• See and experience the latest products and services at the ADIA Dental Show.

See you at the 2016 ADAVB Convention and Dental Show!

Register now

Find out more:

Convention Program

Keynote speakers

Workshops

eviDent Dinner

Exclusive discount for ADAVB Members/Recent Graduates

Act now to reverse decline in oral health services - National Oral Health Alliance

The National Oral Health Alliance (NOHA) has called on Federal, State and Territory Governments to take urgent action to reverse the decline in oral health services in Australia.

NOHA spokesperson Tony McBride said: “Oral health is a crucial component of overall health and well-being, but many Australians are unable to access affordable and preventive oral health care. This situation has worsened in the past two-three years as Federal Government support for dental services for Australians has declined. The resulting blow-outs in public waiting lists are leaving more Australians without any real options for oral health care".

He said that 23% of adults in major cities and 37% in remote areas have untreated tooth decay. These figures will increase as access to services drops, leaving Australia among the worst performers in the OECD when it comes to oral health. "We would never treat our feet this way," Mr McBride added.

NOHA is also concerned that the Federal Government is considering withdrawing from the successful Child Dental Benefits Schedule that has provided bulk-billed dental care to 30% of eligible children.

Mr McBride said: "If governments jointly commit to act on this issue, the current situation can be reversed. This could be achieved through the National Oral Health Plan, developed by COAG to build on our current resources to address key areas of need".

The Australian Dental Association is a member of NOHA.

Risks associated with medical and dental tourism

The death of a Melbourne man, who had extensive plastic surgery in Malaysia, has highlighted the risks involved when people undertake medical and dental tourism.

Mr Leigh Aiple, 31, spent more than $35,000 to go to Kuala Lumpur for the surgery to remove excessive skin after weight loss.

He had two operations and later complained of swelling in his leg and ankle. He flew home, dying within a few hours. A coroner found Mr Aiple died of natural causes: pulmonary thromboembolism associated with deep vein thrombosis.

ADA advises people who are considering having dental treatments abroad to note associated risks: these include the training and qualifications of the practitioner, infection control procedures, and not having any comeback should something go wrong.

Introduce smoke-free outdoor dining, health bodies urge Government

ADAVB has welcomed the State Government’s commitment to introduce smoke-free outdoor dining across Victoria from August next year.

Along with 13 organisations, the Branch has signed a consensus statement supporting the action. The statement warns that a possible loophole in the legislation may allow venues to ban people from eating in outdoor areas, thereby having the unintended consequence of promoting alcohol consumption without food in outside areas where smoking is allowed. This has happened in NSW.

The organisations called on the Government to adopt the Queensland model which makes both outdoor dining and drinking areas smoke-free.

The document says: “The vast majority of Victorians and tens of thousands of visitors to our State expect to be able to enjoy a meal or a drink outdoors without being exposed to toxic and unpleasant smoke. Our hospitality staff – who have no choice but to work in these areas – deserve to be protected from workplace dangers irrespective of whether they are serving a meal or a drink. And none of us want our children to see smoking as an acceptable part of socialising outdoors”.

The other organisations who signed the statement are: Cancer Council Victoria, AMA Victoria, Quit Victoria, Australian Health Promotion Association (Victoria), Asthma Foundation Victoria, Heart Foundation Victoria, Parents’ Voice, Australian Drug Foundation, Public Health Association Australia Vic Branch, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Victorian Regional Committee, United Voice Victoria, Stroke Foundation, and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.