The Impact of Policy Modifiable Factors on Inequalities in Rates of Child Dental Caries in Australia

Sharon Goldfeld, Kate Louise Francis, Monsurul Hoq, Loc Do, Elodie O’Connor and Fiona Mensah
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Sharon Goldfeld: Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Kate Louise Francis: Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Monsurul Hoq: Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Loc Do: Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Elodie O’Connor: Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Fiona Mensah: Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Background : Poor oral health in childhood can lead to adverse impacts later in life. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and population distribution of childhood dental caries in Australia and investigate factors that might ameliorate inequalities. Methods : Data from the nationally representative birth cohort Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 5107), using questions assessing: The experience of dental caries during each biennial follow-up period (2–3 years to 10–11 years), socioeconomic position (SEP), and policy modifiable oral health factors. Results : The odds of dental caries were higher for children with lowest vs. highest SEP (adjusted OR (adjOR) 1.92, 95% CI 1.49–2.46), and lower where water was fluoridated to recommended levels (adjOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.43–0.64). There was no evidence of an association between caries experience and either reported sugary diet or tooth brushing. When SEP and fluoridation were considered in conjunction, compared to the highest SEP group with water fluoridation children in the lowest SEP with fluoridation had adjOR 1.54 for caries, (95% CI 1.14–2.07), and children in the lowest SEP without fluoridation had adjOR 4.06 (95% CI 2.88–5.42). For patterns of service use: The highest SEP group reported a greater percentage of service use in the absence of caries. Conclusions : Dental caries appears prevalent and is socially distributed in Australia. Policy efforts should consider how to ensure that children with dental caries receive adequate prevention and early care with equitable uptake.

Keywords: child dental caries; child oral health; dental health services; fluoridation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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