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

Abstract

Background: This study examines last dental visit (visiting within the last 12 months, 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). Methods: Explanatory variables include age, gender, region, income, area-based SES and dental insurance. The data were collected in the Interview in NSAOH 2017–18. Results: There was a dental visiting gradient by region, with lower percentages visiting in the last 12 months 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%). Conclusions: 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 12 months, usually visiting for a check-up, having a dentist they usually attend and higher percentages visiting 5 or more years ago.