Oral Health Census
Announcement posted by Oral Health Advisory Panel 08 Aug 2016
How do Aussie’s rank the importance of dental visits?
*** MEDIA ALERT ***
Monday 8 August, 2016
Oral Health Census
How do Aussie’s rank the importance of dental visits?
This oral health month marks the release of the latest research from the Oral Health Advisory Panel (OHAP), titled The Oral Health Census[1].
With almost 80 per cent of children under four having never been to the dentist, despite advice that a child's first visit should take place at 12 months of age[2] the Panel takes a look at where ‘visits to the dentist’ sit in the Aussie annual ‘life admin must do list’.
-ENDS-
Issued by QUAY Communications on behalf of the Oral Health Advisory Panel (OHAP)
Media enquiries:
Cheryl Pettinau, QUAY Communications, 02 9386 9161 / 0424 157 714 or
Emma Norgrove, QUAY Communications, 02 9386 9161/0499 688 001
Monday 8 August, 2016
Oral Health Census
How do Aussie’s rank the importance of dental visits?
This oral health month marks the release of the latest research from the Oral Health Advisory Panel (OHAP), titled The Oral Health Census[1].
With almost 80 per cent of children under four having never been to the dentist, despite advice that a child's first visit should take place at 12 months of age[2] the Panel takes a look at where ‘visits to the dentist’ sit in the Aussie annual ‘life admin must do list’.
- Disappointingly, more than half of us (57%) do not put ‘visit to the dentist’ in top three things to do on our ‘life admin list’.
- Women rate an appointment at the hairdresser (55%) above a visit to the dentist (40%) in the top ‘three things they must do’.
- Aussie men think it is more important to get their car ‘serviced at the mechanics’ (47%) before seeing a dentist (45%) in their top ‘three things they must do’.
- Among Aussie cat and dog owners, almost as many include ‘taking their pet to the vet’ (34%) in their top three as say ‘visit a dentist’ (39%).
- Younger Australians (46% of ages 18-34) are more likely to include ‘visit a dentist’ in their top three ‘life admin must dos’ compared to older Australians (39% of 65+ years).
- Baby boomers (50+) rank ‘visit a dentist’ as fourth on the list behind ‘GP’, ‘hairdresser’ and ‘servicing the car’.
- When it comes to bleeding gums, two thirds (66%) of Australians will visit a dentist and 22% would visit a GP.
- Interestingly, more than a third (31%) of younger Australians (18-34 years) turn to the internet / Google when it comes seeking information about oral health.
-ENDS-
About the Oral Health Advisory Panel
The Oral Health Advisory Panel (OHAP) was established in 2013 to raise the awareness of the importance of good oral health and its impact on general wellbeing. The panel comprises 13 independent health care experts including Dental Practitioners (Dentists, Dental Therapists & Oral Health Therapists), Academics leading research into improving oral health, Public Health Advisors, an Accredited Practising Dietitian (with expertise in oral health), a Developmental Psychologist and representation from the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER), and the Australian Dental Association.
Colgate has enabled the establishment of the group and is represented on the panel by Dr Sue Cartwright, Scientific Affairs Manager and Dentist of 25 years.
The Oral Health Advisory Panel (OHAP) was established in 2013 to raise the awareness of the importance of good oral health and its impact on general wellbeing. The panel comprises 13 independent health care experts including Dental Practitioners (Dentists, Dental Therapists & Oral Health Therapists), Academics leading research into improving oral health, Public Health Advisors, an Accredited Practising Dietitian (with expertise in oral health), a Developmental Psychologist and representation from the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER), and the Australian Dental Association.
Colgate has enabled the establishment of the group and is represented on the panel by Dr Sue Cartwright, Scientific Affairs Manager and Dentist of 25 years.
Issued by QUAY Communications on behalf of the Oral Health Advisory Panel (OHAP)
Media enquiries:
Cheryl Pettinau, QUAY Communications, 02 9386 9161 / 0424 157 714 or
Emma Norgrove, QUAY Communications, 02 9386 9161/0499 688 001