Disturbing trend in children's dental health revealed in MBF claims information
Release date: February 5th, 2007
IN another sign of the deteriorating dental health of Australian children, MBF today released disturbing claims information that showed a 42% increase in children being treated in private hospitals for dental cavities.
The analysis of children's dental claims for 2000 and 2005 revealed that in 2000, some 436 children to the age of 12 had been admitted to private hospitals to repair dental caries.
But in 2005, the number of admissions for children treated for cavities increased to 619 - 42% more than five years earlier. Some 228 children aged 12 or under needed stainless steel crowns in 2005 to deal with more serious cavities - up from 83 such cases in 2000.
The MBF analysis showed that six-year-olds experienced the biggest increase in private hospital admissions for the treatment of dental cavities with 42 admissions in 2000 almost doubling to 82 in 2005.
MBF chief medical officer, Dr Christine Bennett said it was a matter of significant concern that dental caries ranks fourth on the top ten diagnoses that lead to the admission of children to private hospitals for treatment.
But in contrast with the indications of deterioration in children's dental health, the analysis also shows that many families with private health cover are confirming the value of preventive dental health programs with big increases in claims for preventive dental checks and fluoride treatment.
"The study of our hospital claims data is another indication that the overall dental health of our children is deteriorating in spite of the intended protection from the fluoridation of domestic water supplies," Dr Bennett said. "MBF shares the concern of the Australian Dental Association that tooth decay in Australian children is increasing for the first time in 30 years.
"The increase in children's dental decay is also a worrying sign that public health measures such as fluoridation of domestic water supplies are being overwhelmed by lifestyle factors including the consumption of sugar rich foods and drinks.
"Our analysis showing a big increase in claims for children's dental treatment may lend support to those who believe the use of unfluoridated bottled or filtered water is reducing the exposure of children to fluoride's proven dental protection. Although bottled water is certainly a better alternative to soft drinks and juices alone, ultimately children should be encouraged to drink fluoridated domestic tap water."
The MBF dental claims study is consistent with wider research such as The Child Dental Health Survey that showed decay in the baby teeth and permanent teeth of Australian children is increasing.
The MBF study also showed a significant increase in the number of children aged up to 12 receiving preventive dental care with a 61% increase in these claims from 36,092 in 2000 to 58,047 in 2005.
The number of children in the same age group who received preventive fluoride treatment increased by 67% from 25,666 to 42,899.
"It is unfortunate that the increase in preventive dental treatment is being overwhelmed by the overall deterioration in the dental health of children apparently due to lifestyle factors that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency," Dr Bennett said.
