One-in-four Australian children under 10 have untreated tooth decay

Results of a national oral health survey show that a quarter of all Australian children aged 10 and under has untreated tooth decay.

The National Child Oral Health Survey 2012-2014 is the first population-based study of its kind in Australia for 25 years, involving data from more than 24,000 children aged five-14 years in each State and Territory.

The survey is a collaborative project between the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, based in the University of Adelaide's School of Dentistry, and State and Territory dental services.

The prevalence of tooth decay was similar to other comparable countries, such as the United States and New Zealand, but the prevalence of untreated decay was higher in Australia. Queensland and Northern Territory children had the highest prevalence and severity of tooth decay.