Statewide plan to improve Aboriginal oral health

17 May 2010

Aboriginal health services around Victoria are contributing to a new statewide Aboriginal oral health plan.

The plan is being developed by Dental Health Services Victoria with advice from the newly-formed Aboriginal Oral Health Reference Group.

The group includes eight representatives from regional and metropolitan Aboriginal health services who are required to take into consideration not only the communities they represent but also other Aboriginal communities throughout Victoria.

The new Aboriginal Oral Health Reference Group will alert Dental Health Services Victoria to gaps in service delivery in Aboriginal communities and will give advice on oral health awareness programs and materials.

VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) is also participating in the group.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have more than twice the amount of tooth decay compared with the overall Australian population of similar age.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have more missing teeth than the overall Australian adult population.

There is now growing evidence that oral diseases, including tooth decay and gum disease, share common risk factors with other diseases and that poor oral health occurs simultaneously with a range of chronic diseases.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have priority access to public dental treatment and do not have to be placed on a waiting list to receive general, denture or specialist care.