This Health Policy Brief explores several issues relating to the current models of public dental care for young children in Australia. Key messages include:
- Children under 10 experience a high burden of potentially preventable hospitalisations due to poor oral health.
- The proportion of young children under 5 utilising dental services is significantly lower than other age groups under 17 years.
- Surveillance data shows a high rate of untreated dental caries across all age groups in childhood.
- Children receive preventive dental services too late.
- There are opportunities to improve child oral health by focusing on preventive public models of care.
- Enhanced models of care should be expanded to include non-dental practitioners and outreach dental program.