Time to act on future of oral health

MEDIA RELEASE

Time to act on future of oral health

Only 26% of the eligible population is accessing public dental care in Victoria over a two-year period.

Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) has also revealed approximately 4 in every 1000 children aged 0-4 years old are hospitalised for treatment of dental decay.

CEO Dr Deborah Cole said poor oral health worsens overall health, wellbeing and quality of life by negatively affecting speech, social and psychological wellbeing, self-esteem and productivity.

“The backlog of untreated dental disease in adults and low levels of oral health literacy cannot be resolved with short term and disjointed programs. The current system is ineffective for those most at risk,” said Dr Cole.

“Children from lower socio-economic backgrounds have 70% more decay than those from higher income families.”

Dr Cole said Victoria’s lead oral health agency was now in the process of formulating its new Strategic Plan for 2016-2021.

“Oral health is not routinely recognised as a vital part of chronic disease management and this needs to change. Furthermore, Commonwealth funding is only guaranteed for short periods of time which doesn’t support long term planning,” she said.

“We believe that every Victorian, no matter where they live or what they earn, should be able to live free from the pain, suffering and social stigma associated with poor oral health.”

Victorians are now invited to participate on the development of the draft Strategic Plan for 2016-2021 and help shape Victoria’s future. Go to the link below to access a short survey.

https://www.dhsv.org.au/stratplan2016-2021

For more information please contact DSHV Media and Community Relations Manager Suzana Talevski on 0407 961 413