Ongoing National Oral Health Monitoring
ARCPOH is custodian to oral health data gathered at the national and state-level since the 1990s, comprising one of the most comprehensive oral health data platforms in the world.
As part of a strategic plan to monitor oral health and use of dental services in Australia, ARCPOH seeks to monitor oral health through clinical examination surveys on a 5-yearly cycle alternating between children and adults. In this way child data would be updated every 10 years - The National Child Oral Health Study (NCOHS) - and adult data every 10 years - The National Survey of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH). To gather information in between these clinical examination surveys a population survey of self-reported oral health and use of dental services - the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey (NDTIS) - has been conducted on a two-and-a-half yearly cycle to maintain updated information.
National Child Oral Health Study (NCOHS)
| Description | The first National Child Oral Health Study was conducted by ARCPOH under an NHMRC grant in 2012-14, with in-kind support from states and territories. It investigates the population burden of dental caries, dental fluorosis and other oral conditions. It describes toothbrushing, use of fluoridated toothpastes, use of dental services, and dietary patterns by children, and their associations with dental health. The findings contribute to the development of oral health policies and programs in Australia. |
| Population | Children aged 5-14 years |
| Frequency | Every 10 years |
| Years collected | 2012-14 |
| Next time point | planned for 2024 |
National Survey of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH)
| Description | The purpose is to investigate the population burden of dental diseases in adults and provision of dental care among subgroups of the Australian population. The findings contribute to the development of oral health policies and programs in Australia. Participants who completed an interview and have some natural teeth are invited to a dental examination in each state/territory. |
| Population | Australian adults aged 15+ years |
| Frequency | Every 10 years |
| Years collected | 1987-88, 2004-06, 2017-18 |
| Next time point | planned for 2027 |
National Dental Telephone Interview Survey (NDTIS)
| Description | Access to dental care has been examined through National Dental Telephone Interview Surveys (NDTIS). The objective is to examine access to services, social inequality and determinants of self-reported oral health and demand for dental services. Initially conducted for the Department of Health in 1992, the NDTIS has been conducted every 2 ½ years since 1994. The 2 ½ year cycle provides an adequate frequency of data to be sensitive to policy changes on the population (and links with 5-yearly population oral health surveys). |
| Population | Australian residents aged 5+ years |
| Frequency | Every 2½ years |
| Years collected | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021 |
| Next time point | planned for 2024 |