A Life Course Approach To Understanding Oral Health Inequalities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,025.00
Summary
Preadolescent children in Australia have lower rates of dental decay than children in almost all other economically developed countries. This is not the case for Australian adults. In fact, Australian adults aged 35-44 years have higher rates of dental decay than adults of similar age in most other economically developed countries. Not only do Australian adults have comparatively poor oral health in the lead-up to midlife, but also socioeconomic inequalities in dental decay are more pronounced a ....Preadolescent children in Australia have lower rates of dental decay than children in almost all other economically developed countries. This is not the case for Australian adults. In fact, Australian adults aged 35-44 years have higher rates of dental decay than adults of similar age in most other economically developed countries. Not only do Australian adults have comparatively poor oral health in the lead-up to midlife, but also socioeconomic inequalities in dental decay are more pronounced at this stage of life than at any other stage before or after. This study proposes to look at how oral health in young adults in shaped by their experiences across childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. This approach is based on recent evidence that points to the importance to adult health of the early years of life. In this life course perspective, the poorer health of disadvantaged individuals is seen to result from ongoing and cumulative exposure to difficult and disadvantaged circumstances across their life course. This study will trace and follow up a cohort of almost 10, 000 South Australians for whom social, familial, economic and dental behavioural information was collected in 1991-92 when these individuals were aged from five to 15 years. Now aged from 19 to 29 years, these individuals will be invited to attend a dental examination and complete a survey that will provide information on health behaviours and life circumstances shown to be important determinants of general and oral health status. One purpose will be to explore reasons for the comparatively poorer oral health status of Australian adults. A second purpose will be to investigate the magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities in oral disease at different life stages. The findings will add to the knowledge of the etiology of oral disease and open up opportunities to develop new methods of oral health promotion based on the understanding of accumulated risk across the life course.Read moreRead less
Oral Health Research For The Australian Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,501,265.00
Summary
This program will build capacity and expertise in Australia s population health research workforce. The program will pursue the broad research theme adding value to oral health surveys . Over a period of five years, eight junior researchers will work on projects that enhance the value of six oral health surveys within the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health at The University of Adelaide. Projects will range from analysis of inflammation caused by periodontal (gum) disease in th ....This program will build capacity and expertise in Australia s population health research workforce. The program will pursue the broad research theme adding value to oral health surveys . Over a period of five years, eight junior researchers will work on projects that enhance the value of six oral health surveys within the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health at The University of Adelaide. Projects will range from analysis of inflammation caused by periodontal (gum) disease in the Australian population, to evaluation of school dental services provided over the last 30 years. Team investigators will work on these surveys to tackle public health problems confronting four distinct dental generations of Australians: _1) people in the oldest tooth loss generation who have lost, on average, half of their natural teeth; 2) the amalgam generation of middle-aged adults who had unprecedented numbers of cavities that are now filled - treatment that requires extensive maintenance and repair; 3) the younger fluoride generation that has historically-low rates of dental decay; 4) and today s pre-schoolers among whom there is disturbing evidence that oral disease is becoming concentrated within the most disadvantaged segments of the population. Their work will improve the information base needed to promote oral health and prevent oral illness in the Australian population.Read moreRead less
Study Of The Relationship Of Oral Health And Oral Health Service Utilisation To The General Health Of Older Australian Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,564.00
Summary
The mouths of older Australians now are very different to those of previous generations. The prevalence of complete tooth loss is declining rapidly and this has enormous implications for dental services. This study will use the established Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) as a platform to conduct a study of oral health and oral health service use in 800 older men. A major focus of the study will be the inter-relationships between oral health and physical and mental health.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101210
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,476.00
Summary
Social Inequalities in Oral Health among Australian Working Age Adults. Australian working age adults with social and economic disadvantage have significantly poorer oral health outcomes than those from advantaged backgrounds. This project explores how changes in social position over time, and interactions between different forms of social disadvantage, contribute to social inequalities in oral health. This project expects to improve understanding of social inequalities in oral health, and its s ....Social Inequalities in Oral Health among Australian Working Age Adults. Australian working age adults with social and economic disadvantage have significantly poorer oral health outcomes than those from advantaged backgrounds. This project explores how changes in social position over time, and interactions between different forms of social disadvantage, contribute to social inequalities in oral health. This project expects to improve understanding of social inequalities in oral health, and its solutions, by developing and applying analytical and simulation models. This will help identify ways to reduce the persistent social inequalities in oral health outcomes in working age adults. In doing this, it will inform policies in future that will significantly improve the well-being of Australian working age adults.Read moreRead less