Did you know that nearly 11 out of every 1,000 children aged 5 to 9* are hospitalised for potentially preventable dental problems?
This alarming statistic, from the ADA’s Children and Young People Oral Health Tracker1, highlights a critical issue – that many of these dental conditions could be avoided with proper oral care and regular dental visits. For Indigenous children, the rate is even higher, with 14.3 out of every 1,000 facing hospitalisation due to dental issues. These numbers show the importance of dental health from a young age.
The ADA’s Consumer Survey’s new findings uncover a widely held misconception about when parents think children are meant to have their first dental visit:
- 5% said before 12 months
- 20% said at 1 year old
- 42% at 2 years old
- 19% at 3 years old
- 4% at 4 years old.
We recommend the first dental visit at about age 2 and a half. They should have all their baby teeth before then. The report found that unfortunately, one-third (32%) of parents reported their child’s first visit was for pain or a problem. The report also found only 56% of children visit the dentist before age 5.
At Jacaranda Dental, we encourage parents to bring their child to the dentist when they come in for a regular check and clean. It’s probably best at about 2 and a half years of age. This allows your child to get to know our team and to feel comfortable and have a positive first experience rather than their first visit being more formal and focused on them.
Tooth decay is a significant problem for Australian children. About 34% of kids aged 5-6 have had decay in their baby teeth, and 27% of kids aged 5-10 have untreated decay in their baby teeth. Sugary drinks play a big role in causing this issue. While 85% of parents know that soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juice can lead to tooth decay, many children still consume these drinks regularly: 26% have fruit juice every day, 37% have fruit juice 2-5 times a week, and another 37% have soft drinks 2-5 times a week.*
We understand that cost can be a concern for families when visiting the dentist and a reason why dental visits are delayed. That’s why we’re proud to participate in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which provides eligible children with essential dental services covered by the Australian government. For more details about this program and how it can benefit your child, visit Service Australia Child Benefit schedule specific to your situation.
Source: * KIDS’ DENTAL ISSUES MOSTLY PREVENTABLE – Click to download the PDF document!
1 This new data comes from the ADA’s 2024 Children and Young People Oral Health Tracker, a recently updated report on preventable oral diseases and their risk factors. It is a collaboration between the ADA, The Mitchell Institute and Victoria University. Access the Tracker document here.