Other aspects - oral health

Summary of oral health among Indigenous Australians


Our Overview of Australian Indigenous health draws largely on published information, some of which has been re-analysed to provide clearer comparisons between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. It is updated as new information becomes available and includes a summary of oral health among Indigenous Australians. After viewing the overview return to this webpage by using the back button.
View overview section: Oral health


Published resources

Guidelines

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (nd)
NACCHO position on Aboriginal dental health.
Retrieved 9 August 2005 from http://www.naccho.org.au/Dental.html
View guidelines

Health Promotion Resources

Indigenous oral health flipcharts
 Queensland Health's Tropical Public Health Unit has developed two oral health flipcharts: 'Looking after young mouths'; and 'Building strong teeth'. The flipcharts use simple language and bold, brightly coloured pictures to illustrate the importance of oral health and hygiene for both infants and adults.

The flipcharts have been designed as an education tool for use by health workers and others working in Indigenous health. The purpose of the flipcharts is to: educate Indigenous communities about the importance of oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay; and to correct cleaning and brushing techniques. Since the flipcharts were developed they have undergone evaluation and an evaluation report has been released.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The flipcharts are available in A4 desktop and A3 sizes. For further information about the flipcharts, or to purchase copies view the summary information sheet (PDF - 493kb) or contact: Tropical Population Health Network, 19 Aplin Street, Cairns QLD 4870, ph: (07) 4050 3600 Postal address: PO Box 1103, Cairns QLD 4870.

Images have been reproduced with the kind permission of the Tropical Public Health Unit, Queensland Health.

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Journal articles

2008

Jamieson LM, Parker EJ, Richards L (2008)
Using qualitative methodology to inform an Indigenous-owned oral health promotion initiative in Australia.
Health Promotion International;23(1):52-59
View abstract: PubMed
View website: PubMed

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2007

Bazen J, Kruger E, Dyson K, Tennant M (2007)
An innovation in Australian dental education: rural, remote and Indigenous pre-graduation placements.
Rural and Remote Health;7:Article 703.
View article: Rural and Remote Health (HTML)
View article: Rural and Remote Health (PDF - 153KB)
View website: Rural and Remote Health

Bazen J, Paul D, Tennant M (2007)
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander oral health curriculum framework: development experiences in Western Australia.
Australian Dental Journal ;52(2):86-92
View abstract: PubMed
View website: National Center for Biotechnology Information

Brennan DS, Roberts-Thomson KF, Spencer AJ (2007)
Oral health of Indigenous adult public dental patients in Australia.
Australian Dental Journal;52(4):322-328
View abstract: PubMed
View website: National Center for Biotechnology

Ehsani JP, Bailie R (2007)
Feasibility and costs of water fluoridation in remote Australian Aboriginal communities.
BMC Public Health ;7:Article 100.
View article: BMC Public Health (HTML)
View article: BMC Public Health (PDF - 247KB)
View website: PubMed Central

Jamieson LM, Parker EJ, Armfield JM (2007)
Indigenous child oral health at a regional and state level.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health;43(3):117-121
View abstract: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
View website: Blackwell Synergy (Blackwell publishing)

2006

Jamieson LM, Armfield JM, Roberts-Thomson KF (2006)
Oral health inequalities among Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in the Northern Territory of Australia.
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology;34(4):267-276
View article: Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
View website: Blackwell Synergy (Blackwell Publishing)

Jamieson LM, Bailie RS, Beneforti M, Koster CR, Spencer AJ (2006)
Dental self-care and dietary characteristics of remote-living Indigenous children.
Rural and Remote Health;6(1):Article 503.
Available from http://rrh.deakin.edu.au
View article: Rural and Remote Health (HTML)
View article: Rural and Remote Health (PDF - 339KB)

Jamieson LM, Roberts-Thomson KF (2006)
Dental general anaesthetic trends mong Australian children.
BMC Oral Health;6:Article 16.
View article: BMC Oral Health
View website: BMC Oral Health

2005

Kruger E, Tennant M (2005)
Oral health workforce in rural and remote Western Australia: practice perceptions.
Australian Journal of Rural Health;13(5):321-326
View abstract: HealthBulletin

Parker EJ, Misan G, Richards LC, Russell A (2005)
Planning and implementing the first stage of an oral health program for the Pika Wiya Health Service Incorporated Aboriginal Community in Port Augusta, South Australia [preliminary report].
Rural and Remote Health;5(online):254. Retrieved from http://rrh.deakin.edu.au
View article: Rural and Remote Health (HTML)
View article: Rural and Remote Health (PDF - 437KB)

2004

Endean C, Roberts-Thomson K, Wooley S (2004)
Anangu oral health: the status of the Indigenous population of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara lands.
Australian Journal of Rural Health;12(3):99-103
View abstract: HealthBulletin

2001

Pacza T, Steele L, Tennant M (2001)
Development of oral health training for rural and remote Aboriginal health workers.
Australian Journal of Rural Health;9(3):105-110.
View abstract: Australian Journal of Rural Health
View article: Australian Journal of Rural Health (HTML)
View article: Australian Journal of Rural Health (PDF - 437KB)

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Reports and publications

Jamieson LM, Armfield JM, Roberts-Thomson KF (2007)
Oral health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. (AIHW catalogue no. DEN 167)
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
View report (PDF - 2.34MB - large file warning!)
View report (HTML)
View website: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Media release (for Bulletin abstract only)

Slade GD, Spencer AJ, Roberts-Thomson KF (2007)
Australia's dental generations: the national survey of adult oral health 2004-06. (AIHW catalogue no. DEN 165)
Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
View report (PDF - 1.1MB - large file warning!)
View report (HTML)
View website: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
This report contains a small amount of information relating to Indigenous oral health.

Nganampa Health Council (2004)
Nganampa Health Council annual report 2004.
Alice Springs, NT: Nganampa Health Council
View abstract: HealthBulletin
View report (PDF - 3.5MB - large file warning!)
View website: Nganampa Health Council

AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit (2003)
Oral health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons. (Report no. 14)
Adelaide: Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health
View report (PDF - 469KB)
View website: Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health

Tropical Public Health Unit (2003)
Indigenous oral health flipcharts. Evaluation report.
Cairns: Queensland Health
View abstract: HealthBulletin

Nganampa Health Council (2001)
Dentistry in remote Aboriginal communities.
Alice Springs: Nganampa Health Council.
View abstract

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Theses

Nessa, J. (1994). Dental caries in child dental health surveyed NSW school children: a correlational and developmental study. Unpublished Master of Public Health treatise, University of Sydney, Sydney.

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Bibliography

If you have access to EndNote bibliographic software you may download our oral health EndNote library containing relevant references from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet bibliographic database. If you use Netscape Navigator as your browser click the right mouse button and choose the 'save link as' option to save to your computer. If you use Internet Explorer you should choose the 'save target as' option.

Download oral health EndNote library (276KB - compiled September 2007)

If you do not have EndNote you may view the associated reference lists:

View oral health reference list (Word doc - 181KB - compiled September 2007)
View oral health reference list (PDF - 90KB - compiled September 2007 )

Alternatively you may wish to search through the HealthInfoNet bibliographic database for references about oral health.

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Organisations

Association of Rural and Remote Oral Health Workers (ARROHW)

Bushdentist - oral health mailing list
The Association of Rural and Remote Oral Health Workers (ARROHW) is in its formative stages, and aims to provide support for oral health workers in rural and remote communities, especially Aboriginal communities.

The Association has an email mailing list named bushdentist - if you are interested in joining this mailing list you can email Sandra Meihubers: sm495@ozemail.com.au

Dental Health Services, WA Department of Health

This website is dedicated to improving the oral health of West Australians. Information on: eligibility, fees and charges, emergency dental care, clinic locations, school dental services and educational resources is provided.
View website


Indigenous Dentists' Association of Australia

The Indigenous Dentists' Association of Australia (IDAA) held it's inaugural general meeting in October 2004. The Association aims to promote good oral health for Indigenous people and provide support for Indigenous dentists and dental students. They also aim to encourage more Indigenous men and women to study dentistry.

For further information contact:
Indigenous Dentists' Association of Australia
PO Box 3497
Manuka ACT 2603
Ph: (02) 62395013
Fax: (02) 62395014
Freecall: 1800 190 498

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Other information

FirstBite.com.au
FirstBite.com.au is represented by a growing number of dentists around Australia who share a vision of educating people about oral health. This web site is part of that vision. This vision includes education. The website aims to provide dental education that is easily accessible, informative and addresses the needs of the community. The practice intends to provide an environment that is welcoming and relaxed for all people who visit. Communication is highly valued. The operators and committed to being open and friendly, and intend that people who come to their practices be fully listened to.
View website

Nganampa Health Council
Dentistry in remote Aboriginal communities - manual
The manual 'Dentistry in remote Aboriginal communities' is designed to assist dental personnel intending to work in remote Aboriginal communities. It offers a cultural and clinical orientation for oral health programs, as well as containing material on primary health care and service delivery systems.
Author abstract
View abstract

Solid smiles and Smiles ahead

The Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health produces and provides information and resources on oral health. Two culturally appropriate resource kits, Solid Smiles and Smiles Ahead are available to download. Solid Smiles is a culturally appropriate resource kit developed through extensive collaboration with people from communities across Western Australia; Albany, Broome, Carnarvon, Fitzroy Crossing, Kalgoorlie, Roebourne, Warburton and Wiluna. Topics covered include material suitable for all age groups; from babies through to the elderly. Solid Smiles is relevant for health workers, teachers and health promotion coordinators. Smiles Ahead is adapted from Solid Smiles and contains only the information relevant for babies and infants under six. This kit is specially designed for people working in child-care centres, playgroups and pre-schools.
View information

Tropical Public Health Unit (2003)
Indigenous oral health flipcharts.
Cairns: Queensland Health
View abstract: HealthBulletin

TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service

Solid kids have healthy teeth: 0-2 years/2-5 years
This pamphlet series was developed by the Bibbulung Gnarneep team, a collaboration between the TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service. The series consists of two pamphlets that provide dental advice for parents of children between the ages of 0 and 2 years and 2 and 5 years.
View abstract

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You can contribute to improving the health of Australia's Indigenous people by assisting the HealthInfoNet's work
Last updated: 4 June 2008