Australia - Concern voiced over poor dental care
Australians are being hospitalised with life-threatening illnesses because they can't afford dental care, a leading consumer group says.
The Australian Consumers Association (ACA) said in its magazine Choice tens of thousands of hospital admissions could have been prevented if patients had had early treatment for dental problems. "Alarmingly there are many reported cases of treatable dental infections spreading to the eye, brain or into the neck or chest cavity," ACA spokeswoman Indira Naidoo said."There is also increasing evidence of the links between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, poor nutrition, oral cancer and even premature births."
The magazine said a recent study showed 30 per cent of adults avoided dental care because of the cost, one quarter had untreated tooth decay and more than 20 per cent had moderate to severe gum disease.
The study also found almost one in five people had avoided certain foods because of problems with teeth, mouth or dentures, Choice said. "With the average check-up and clean costing about $200 it's not surprising that people are put off dental visits," Ms Naidoo said. Choice said there were 650,000 people on dental waiting lists across Australia, waiting on average 27 months for treatment.
"And the situation could get worse," Ms Naidoo said. "It's been estimated that by 2010 Australia will have a shortage of 1500 dentists and oral health professionals.
"Despite this, there was little in the recent federal budget to alleviate the shortage." Choice is calling for funding of preventative dental care for people on low incomes, better funding for people with chronic dental conditions and funding for training of additional oral health professionals in universities.
© 2007 AAP
2/3 of Australians receive fluoridated water: NYSCOF
The Australian Consumers Association (ACA) said in its magazine Choice tens of thousands of hospital admissions could have been prevented if patients had had early treatment for dental problems. "Alarmingly there are many reported cases of treatable dental infections spreading to the eye, brain or into the neck or chest cavity," ACA spokeswoman Indira Naidoo said."There is also increasing evidence of the links between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, poor nutrition, oral cancer and even premature births."
The magazine said a recent study showed 30 per cent of adults avoided dental care because of the cost, one quarter had untreated tooth decay and more than 20 per cent had moderate to severe gum disease.
The study also found almost one in five people had avoided certain foods because of problems with teeth, mouth or dentures, Choice said. "With the average check-up and clean costing about $200 it's not surprising that people are put off dental visits," Ms Naidoo said. Choice said there were 650,000 people on dental waiting lists across Australia, waiting on average 27 months for treatment.
"And the situation could get worse," Ms Naidoo said. "It's been estimated that by 2010 Australia will have a shortage of 1500 dentists and oral health professionals.
"Despite this, there was little in the recent federal budget to alleviate the shortage." Choice is calling for funding of preventative dental care for people on low incomes, better funding for people with chronic dental conditions and funding for training of additional oral health professionals in universities.
© 2007 AAP
2/3 of Australians receive fluoridated water: NYSCOF
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