Demographic analysis of trends in dental ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) admissions in Victoria, 1997-98 to 2004-05

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Overview

Dental ACSC admissions rates in Victoria have been increasing over the past several years in all age groups. The most common reason for admission is for dental caries, which is amenable to prevention. Children have significantly higher rates of dental ACSC admissions, than adolescents and adults.

There are strong associations between child dental admission rates and both access to fluoridated water and poverty. As most admissions are related to dental caries, interventions that address diet, oral hygiene and access to other forms of fluoride and to timely dental care will also prevent admissions.

It is necessary to integrate oral health promotion with broader health promotion programs and to provide targeted programs to high-risk groups as an adjunct to population approaches.

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Demographic analysis of trends in dental ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) admissions in Victoria, 1997-98 to 2004-05 (733kb, pdf)

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