Background: Indigenous Australians have been reported in a range of studies to have worse health than non-Indigenous

Background: The aim of this study was to confirm whether the level of lifetime fluoridation exposure is associated with lower dental caries experience in younger adults (15-46 years). Methods: Data of the cohort born between 1960 and 1990 residing outside Australia's capital cities from the 2004À2006 Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health were analysed. Residential history questionnaires were used to determine the percentage of each person's lifetime exposure to fluoridated water (<50%/50+%). Examiners recorded decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT). Socio-demographic variables, periodontal risk factors, and access to dental care were included in multivariable least-squares regression models. Results: In bivariate analysis, the higher level of fluoridation category had significantly lower DMFT (mean 6.01 [SE = 0.62]) than the lower level of fluoridation group (9.14 [SE = 0.73] p < 0.01) and lower numbers of filled teeth (4.08 [SE = 0.43], 7.06 [SE = 0.62], p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, the higher number of full-time equivalent dentists per 100 000 people was associated with a lower mean number of missing teeth (regression coefficient estimate = -1.75, p = 0.03), and the higher level of water fluoridation with a lower mean DMFT (-2.45, p < 0.01) and mean number of filled teeth (-2.52, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The higher level of lifetime fluoridation exposure was associated with substantially lower caries experience in younger rural adults, largely due to a lower number of filled teeth.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine consumption of fruit and vegetables in relation to tooth loss and income. Methods: Data were collected in 2004-06, using a three-stage, stratified clustered sample, involving a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI), oral examination and mailed questionnaire followed by a food frequency questionnaire. Results: A total of 14 123 adults responded to the CATI (49% response) of whom 5505 (44% of those interviewed) agreed to undergo an oral epidemiological examination. In the nutrition sub-study, a total of n = 1218 persons were approached in New South Wales and Queensland, with n = 1129 responding (92.7% response rate). Among respondents aged 55 years or more 34.5% had <21 teeth. Adjusting for income the prevalence of infrequent consumption ('never or less than once a month') was associated with [PR = prevalence ratio (95% CI)]

Background: Middle-aged adults are an important focus of dental policy with increasing retention of teeth and use of dental services. The aims of the study were to describe the caries experience of 45-54 year olds by dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status. Methods: A random sample of 45-54 year olds from Adelaide, South Australia was surveyed by selfcomplete questionnaire during 2004-2005 with up to four follow-up mailings to non-respondents (n = 879, response rate = 43.8 per cent). Oral examinations were performed by calibrated dentists on 709 persons (completion rate = 80.7 per cent). Results: The mean number (95% CI) of decayed teeth was 0.39 (0.31-0.47), with 5.25 (4.92-5.58) missing teeth, 11.0 (10.62-11.32) filled teeth, and DMFT was 16.61 (16.21-17.01). Multivariate regressions of caries experience by dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status found: time since last visit of less than 12 months was related (P<0.05) to fewer decayed teeth (␤ = -0.40), more filled teeth (␤ = 1.55) and a higher DMFT (␤ = 1.24); a last visit for relief of pain was related to more decayed teeth (␤ = 0.56); tooth brushing 8+ times per week was related to fewer decayed (␤ = -0.36), and missing teeth (␤ = -1.13), and lower DMFT (␤ = -1.58); not cleaning between teeth was related to more missing teeth (␤ = 0.94); males had fewer missing teeth (␤ = -0.76); having a diploma/degree was related to fewer missing teeth (␤ = -1.07) and lower DMFT (␤ = -1.27); card holder status was related to more missing teeth (␤ = 1.26); and household income of $80 000+ was related to fewer missing teeth (␤ = -0.96) and a lower DMFT (␤ = -1.35). Conclusions: Dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio-demographics and socio-economic status were all related to caries experience. Overall DMFT was lower for those who brushed more frequently, had higher levels of education and higher household income.

Service-mix can reflect changes in demographic factors, oral health, patient demand and treatment philosophies. The aim of this study was to compare service-mix by patient age in 1988 with baseline data from 1983. A weighted, stratified random sample of dentists in Australia was surveyed by mailed questionnaire in 1983 and again in 1988. Service-mix was dominated by restorative, diagnostic and preventive areas. Comparing 1988 with 1983, there were significant increases for diagnostic, preventive, advanced restorative, orthodontic and general areas. Patterns across patient age groups and between years indicated younger patients were being provided with increased preventive services (patients aged 5-11, 25-44 years) and decreased restorative services (patients aged 5-11, 12-17 years), while older patients were being provided with reduced prosthodontic services (patients aged 25-44, 45-64 years), but increased restorative services (patients aged 45-64, 65+ years) and advanced restorative services (patients aged 25-44, 45-64 years). These patterns of service-mix have implications for dental education, research and service delivery.