OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between chronic medication exposure and 5-year dental caries increment among older people, using a theoretical model whereby xerogenic medication is thought to lead to increased caries by either (i) chronically lowering salivary flow, thus reducing salivary buffering of plaque acids, or (ii) producing the symptoms of dry mouth, leading […]

BACKGROUND: Practice beliefs have been related to service rate variation. The aims of this study were to replicate practice belief scales in Australia and investigate associations with dentist and practice characteristics and services. METHODS: A random sample of Australian dentists completed mailed questionnaires (response rate 60.3 per cent). RESULTS: Private general practitioners (n = 345) […]

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to describe periodontal health status by gender, type of care, geographic location and age and to investigate associations of these factors with tooth loss. METHODS: In 1995-96, state and territory dental services surveyed a random sample of 6,109 public-funded patients. Dentists recorded oral health status at the initial […]

OBJECTIVE: Variation in dental service provision over time has been related to changes in factors such as oral health and demographics. Dentist factors such as age and cohort effects are also potential sources of influence. The aim of the study was to examine the operation of age, period, and cohort factors on variation in service […]

Health card holders are a financially disadvantaged group and are the target population eligible for publicly-funded dental care. While their health status is generally worse compared with other Australians, there is also considerable variation among card holders. The aims of this study were to describe the oral health status of publicly-funded dental patients by type […]

Service provision patterns may be influenced not only by clinical oral health status leading to a diagnosis and treatment plan, but also by other variables such as patient characteristics. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether associations between services provided and patient factors would persist after controlling for the main presenting diagnosis […]

Hepatitis C infection is widespread throughout the community. This study aimed to assess the status of oral health of persons infected with hepatitis C. DMFT and CPITN indices were recorded at a clinic providing priority dental care for people with hepatitis C infection. The data were compared with information from an existing survey of general […]

Mercury in dentistry has re-emerged as a contentious issue in public health, predominantly because so many people are inadvertently exposed to mercury in order to obtain the benefits of dental amalgam fillings, and the risks remain difficult to interpret. This commentary aims to examine the issues involved in public policy assessment of the continued use […]