Recent media has reported on the recent data published by the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare. This data is alarming, but unfortunately unsurprising as oral health is often neglected in broader health policy. ADOHTA continues to lobby and advocate for increased funding for oral health services and inclusion of oral health in general health.

"The latest update of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW) oral health and dental care report, published last week, has reported that over 87,000 hospitalisations for dental conditions could have been prevented if patients had received earlier treatment. The data also indicates that 30% of Australians who needed to see a dentist delayed or avoided a visit in the past 12 months, with about one in five citing cost as a reason for their decision."

Source: AHHA Healthcare in Brief 11 October 2024

Read more via the ABC news article.

Read more via The Daily Aus article.