Download Give your childrens` teeth a dental check

10 January 2017
Give your childrens’ teeth a dental check-up for a healthy 2017
The start of the new year is a great time to start healthy habits, so parents are encouraged to make a dental
appointment for their children before the school holidays end. Some families may even be eligible to have
payment for their check-up provided by the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
Professor David Manton, Chair of the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) Oral Health Committee, advises
that there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the oral health of Australian children is not as good as it should
be with recent studies showing that:

Over 4 out of 10 children aged 5-10 had decay in their baby teeth;

Over 3 out of 10 children aged 9-14 had decay in their permanent teeth; and

Over 4 out of 10 children overall had moderate or abundant visible plaque on their teeth.
“A new year provides the opportunity for parents to do their bit to reverse this trend by taking the family to the
dentist for a check-up”, Prof. Manton said. ”The early detection of oral disease, such as tooth decay, gives the
opportunity to reverse the decay process before a filling is required”.
Some families will be able to benefit from the Australian Government’s recent announcement to continue the
CDBS which provides $700 every two years towards children’s dental care for eligible families.
“While the amount available under the CDBS has decreased for newly eligible families, some children who
were eligible in 2016, may still have access to any unused funds from the previous cap of $1,000 for the
remainder of 2017. Families are encouraged to check with Medicare to see if they are eligible. Under the
CDBS, patients can receive treatment from either a public or private dental service.”
Prof. Manton concluded, “Dental health underpins good overall health. A dental check-up will provide a great
start to dental health for the whole family. We urge parents and their children to visit their dentist this summer
before school starts”.
References
1.
Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, National Child Oral Health Survey 2012-2014
Interviews available from: Professor David Manton, Chair of the Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health
Committee
www.facebook.com/AustralianDentalAssociation
www.facebook.com/HealthyTeethAustralia
@Aus_Dental
Contact: Bryan Nguyen (M,T,T,F) 0432 720 213
Eithne Irving 0419 550 186
02 9906 4412
[email protected]
ada.org.au