Dental decay rates increase amongst children in Australia

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A new report has revealed that dental decay rates are rising amongst children in Australia.

The study, which was conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, analysed data from children aged six and twelve. The results of the study showed that rates of tooth decay are on the increase and this is unsurprising, as the findings also suggest that the proportion of children who brush their teeth twice a day has decreased.

Professor Kaye Roberts-Thomson, from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare said that poor oral health amongst children was putting a strain on the national health system. Professor Roberts-Thomson said that standards of oral health have been declining steadily in recent years and this is largely due to poor oral hygiene and a diet filled with sugary and acidic foods and drinks.

The study found that around 50 percent of children aged six and twelve had tooth decay; the study examined six year olds to look at decay in milk teeth and 12 year olds to look at decay in adult teeth.

Professor Roberts-Thomson suggested that parents have a very important role to play in their child’s oral health; many parents lead busy lives now, with a large proportion of families having two working parents and this has lead to a change in diet for children and a more relaxed approach to teeth cleaning. When parents are busy, tired and stressed, they are less likely to want to fight with their child about brushing their teeth. Children are also increasingly exposed to sweets, cakes, biscuits and fizzy drinks, which all contribute to decay.

Tony McBride, chair of the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance, claimed that dental care is very “patchy” in Australia, with people from low income families forced to wait for long periods of time for treatment. On Tuesday, health reforms were announced and the Federal Government stated that oral health will be a priority in the 2012/2013 budget.

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