Type of dental treatment in adults
Data table
View data tableNote
Estimates based on 5,090 respondents; 38 (0.74%) were 'not stated' (Don't know or Refused). LL/UL 95%CI = lower and upper limits of the 95% confidence interval for the point estimate.
Source
NSW Population Health Survey (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Commentary
These are the latest data available. The page will be updated when the new data becomes available.
Individuals who see a dentist for the purpose of a dental check-up are more likely to benefit from early detection and timely treatment of oral disease, and ongoing preventive care. In contrast, those who see a dentist when they are experiencing a dental problem are more likely to receive unfavourable outcomes such as extractions (AIHW, 2003).
In 2005, 76.2% of NSW residents aged 16 years and over reported that they had seen a dentist in the previous 2 years, 62.1% had seen a dentist in the previous 12 months (CER, 2006).
Among those who reported that they had a dental problem in the previous 12 months 28.9% stated that they did not visit a dentist. Fillings were the most reported type of treatment at 27.9%
Fewer men reported having a check up (15.7% males to 18.7% females) while they reported more fillings (29.7% meals to 26.2% females) and more extractions (16.4% males to 14.6% females). Overall, fewer men reported frequent oral health problems, 4.5% of men reported experiencing oral health problems 'very often or often' while 6.5% of females reported oral health problems with that frequency. More than 90% of respondents who had a dental treatment reported visiting a private dental practice.
A national dental survey conducted in 2002 reported that around 84% of adults in Australia had at least 20 teeth, 80% rated their oral health as 'good, very good, or excellent', and 83% experienced no adverse effects of oral conditions on quality of life, which means that more than 80% of adults in Australia were able to report good oral health in all three dimensions of oral health (AIHW, 2006).
For more information
Centre for Epidemiology and Research. 2007 Report on adult health in New South Wales. Sydney: NSW Department of Health, 2008. Available at www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/survey/hsurvey.html
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Dental Statistics and Research Unit. National Dental Telephone Interview Survey 2002. AIHW cat, no. DEN 128. Adelaide: AIHW, 2003.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australia's health 2008. Cat. no. AUS 99. Canberra: AIHW, 2008. Available at: www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10585
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Copyright notice
This work is copyright NSW Department of Health, 2006. It may be reproduced in whole or in part, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. Commercial usage or sale is prohibited.
Suggested citation
Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales - Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. Available at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/chorep/. Accessed (insert date of access).
Produced by
Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on 15 December 2008
