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Dental visits by Australian preschool children
Author(s) -
SlackSmith LM
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2003.00185.x
Subject(s) - medicine , residence , family medicine , dental health , dental care , population , pediatrics , demography , environmental health , sociology
Objective: To provide population‐based data on dental visits in preschool children, to assist in the planning of such services and preventive programs. Methodology: Dental visits in young children are described and associated factors are investigated using data from the 1995 National Health Survey. Results: Thirty‐eight per cent of children aged 3−4 years had ever visited a dental professional with 31% having visited a dental professional in the previous 12 months (total n = 1596). Factors associated with having ever visited a dental professional included age in years (χ 2 = 74.16, P < 0.0001), state of residence (χ 2 = 25.81, P = 0.0005) and private health insurance (χ 2 = 7.96, P = 0.005). Similar factors were associated with visits in last 12 months. Western Australia had the lowest proportion of preschool children aged 3−4 years having ever visited a dental professional (29%) while South Australia had the highest proportion (48%). The major reasons given for dental visits were check‐up and fillings. Conclusion: Data regarding children not as likely to attend dental services can be used to target services and assist in ensuring preschool children receive appropriate dental care.