Kids teeth in Australia in decay mode

William Atkins
Sunday, 12 October 2008 21:15

Science - Health

According to the Daily Telegraph article, associate professor Hans Zoellner, chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Oral Health, said "Children don't have the manual dexterity to brush their own teeth - they really need their parents' help.”

Even worse is the statement by Dr. James Lucas, of the Australasian Academy of Paediatric, as reported by the Daily Telegraph: “… dental decay in children was worsening and could lead to problems like abscesses, extractions and infections.”

The article concludes with this scary comment, “Another dental expert described tooth decay as being like ‘leprosy of the mouth’.”

The ABC Health and Wellbeing article “Dental health in decay” states, “What's the most common health condition in Australia? Heart disease? Cancer? Few people realise it's actually tooth decay, with advanced periodontal (gum) disease the fifth most common, and rates of edentulism (loss of teeth) also high, according to the Public Health Association of Australia.”

It continues, “As a nation, we're facing a crisis in oral health, with half a million people unable to access a dentist for even basic care. These people can't afford to visit a private dentist as the bulk of Australians do. So they must compete for the very limited public services on offer."

"By the time an appointment comes around, some have waited up to five years for the privilege. By then, decay is often so entrenched, removal of affected teeth is the only option.”

Please go to the ABC Health and Wellbeing website for more information on tooth decay.