The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has lauded the work of the Closing the Gap Child Oral Health Program in the Northern Territory, but has demanded more services to be delivered to Indigenous communities.

 

The program currently targets Indigenous children who received dental referrals during the Child Health Checks introduced during the intervention, but also provides dental services to those under 16 living in remote communities in the NT.

 

The report, Dental health of Indigenous children in the Northern Territory: Progress of the Closing the Gap Child Oral Health Program 2011, shows that between August 2007 and December 2011 more than 8,000 children, around half of the population under 16 in remote communities, were provided with nearly 15,000 dental services through the program.

 

‘The good news is that the oral health of children who received more than one dental service under the program is improving’, said AIHW spokesperson Dr Fadwa Al-Yaman.

 

‘About 60% of children who received treatment for dental caries at their first dental service had no more caries needing treatment at their most recent dental service which occurred after 9 months or more from the initial service. For those treated for mouth infections or sores at their first visit, 97% did not show the same condition subsequently.’

 

‘Although a large number of services has been provided since the Child Oral Health Program began, our data suggest a need for further services or continuing effort’, Dr Al-Yaman said.

 

At the end of 2011, of the 3,223 Indigenous children who had received a dental referral from Child Health Checks, about 2,458 had received a dental service, and 756 had an outstanding dental referral.

 

The full report can be found here

http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=10737421499