Aussie mums could be putting their children’s health at risk by delaying their trips to the dentist.
Some key findings are as follows:
- Most Australians choose to avoid the dentist despite having serious dental health issues - almost three quarters of Australians (74%) who experience toothaches, and 89% of people who suffer from red and swollen gums that bleed, both major indicators of serious oral health problems, fail to bring them to the attention of a dentist
- In the last year, 1/3 parents with a child suffering from dental health issues delayed taking their child to the dentist or did not take them at all
- 1/10 parents admitted they only take their child to the dentist if they have serious problem
- While Australians admitted to cutting back on dental visits in a financial crisis, fewer cut spending on non essential items such as alcohol and cigarettes
- A quarter of respondents said they only schedule visits when they have a specific problem
- Most people (64%) cited cost as the main barrier to scheduling a routine check-up
- Australians do not understand the health effects that can result from poor oral health with the majority of Australians believing that oral health issues start and finish in the mouth
- As many as 7 in 10 recognise that they should be doing more to maintain optimal dental health. Generation Y(79%) and Generation X (74%) are more likely than Baby Boomers (60%) to feel that they should be doing more to promote better dental health
