Australians avoiding the Dentist due to Cost

Sample News Big

A recent report has revealed that a growing number of Australians are avoiding going to the dentist because they cannot afford dental treatment.

The report, which is due to be released today, has been compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. According to the figures, one third of Australians avoided going to the dentist in 2008 as a result of cost, which represents an increase of a third since 1994.

The report shows that women, concession cardholders, uninsured patients and dental patients who visited the dentist because they had symptoms or an existing dental problem, were more likely to avoid going to the dentist.

Overall, the report found that around 50 percent of people attended a dental check-up at least once a year. Around 85 percent of appointments made by adults were at private dental practices. There was an increase in the proportion of people attending regular check-ups but the report highlighted regional differences and differences between people from different income groups. Those living in remote areas, people without dental insurance and concession cardholders were less likely to attend regular check-ups.

The report shows that there are problems with access to affordable care in many areas of the country and oral health groups have been lobbying the government to improve access to reduced rate care and increase the availability of preventative dental treatments. In the recent Budget, the government announced that a new dental internship programme would be introduced to try and encourage dentists to train and work in rural areas and areas where there is a shortage of dentists.

Join this Discussion

Comments are closed.