Use of dental services among Australian adults in the National Study of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH) 2017-18.

Abstract

This study examines last dental visit (visiting within the last 12months, having a last visit 5 or more years ago, attending a private dental practice) and usual visit (usually visiting for a check-up, having a dentist they usually attend). Explanatory variables include age, gender, region, income, area-based SES and dental insurance. The data were collected in the Interview in NSAOH 2017-18. There was a dental visiting gradient by region, with lower percentages visiting in the last 12months in remote (44.9%) and regional areas (50.8%) than major cities (58.7%). A higher percentage of the higher-income tertile made visits (63.8%) than the middle (53.7%) and lower tertiles (49.9%). There was a visiting gradient by area-based SES, with higher percentages in the higher (63.8%) and middle SES tertiles (55.2%) than the lower tertile (50.2%). Uninsured persons had lower percentages visiting (43.3%) than insured (69.7%). Persons in remote locations, those with low socioeconomic status and those uninsured were disadvantaged in terms of access. They had lower percentages visiting in the last 12months, usually visiting for a check-up, having a dentist they usually attend and higher percentages visiting 5 or more years ago.