Understanding Influences On Oral Health Of Contemporary Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
This study will contribute to an understanding of the factors affecting child oral health. Findings will have scientific value and relevance for the policy-making process in developing new methods of oral health prevention to target modifiable factors that will lead to improvement of oral health of children
Determinants Of Inequality In Child Oral Health At School Age–A Prospective Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,229,853.00
Summary
This study aims to examine effects of socioeconomic circumstances as determinants of child oral health conditions, which can be mediated by dietary patterns, use of fluoride and dental service.
Impact Of Health Policy On The Delivery Of Dental Services And Child Oral Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,304,799.00
Summary
This project will study the use of dental services by children and adolescents in Australia and how use relates to oral health outcomes. Variation in the support for the use of private dentists and the organisation and delivery of school dental services will be compared both within and across all states and territories so as to inform policy discussions on how to best improve child oral health.
Minimally Invasive Approach To Manage Early Childhood Caries In Aboriginal Preschoolers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,488,220.00
Summary
The treatment of dental decay in young children is often undertaken in a hospital, which is costly and risky. A treatment approach tested among a non-Aboriginal preschool population in WA, using hand instruments only and without the use of local anaesthesia, showed nearly a ten-fold reduction in the need for specialist dental care. This study will test the effectiveness of dental treatment of preschool children in rural and remote Aboriginal communities, using the alternative approach.
A Longitudinal Controlled Study To Prevent Early Childhood Caries From Ages 0-6 Years In A Disadvantaged Community In Queensland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,788.00
Summary
Rampant dental decay in young children is very difficult to prevent. The study will follow a group of high risk children from birth to 6 years of age to test the effectiveness of antibacterial and remineralising agents to prevent dental decay. Our early results showed that these agents have good potential for removing decay-causing bacteria and preventing dental cavities. We expect our long term results will yield valuable information for dental prevention for young children worldwide.
Dental Service Utilisation In Young Adults: A Function Of Need, Health Behaviours Or Socio-demographic Variables?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$58,190.00
Summary
Over the past 20 years there have been significant gains made in the oral health of children, with the majority of 12 year olds in Australia in 1996 having no dental decay. There are however some indications that young adulthood may have become a period of increased risk of dental disease, as young adults leave home, become increasingly independent, have financial pressures whilst establishing themselves and change their diet and other habits. In 1998-99 a baseline study was conducted on a sampl ....Over the past 20 years there have been significant gains made in the oral health of children, with the majority of 12 year olds in Australia in 1996 having no dental decay. There are however some indications that young adulthood may have become a period of increased risk of dental disease, as young adults leave home, become increasingly independent, have financial pressures whilst establishing themselves and change their diet and other habits. In 1998-99 a baseline study was conducted on a sample of Adelaide young adults 20-24 years using telephone interviews and oral examinations. Data was obtained on dental visiting patterns, socio-economic status, living arrangements, and health behaviours such as smoking and playing sport, as well as oral health. This study seeks to follow-up the sample of 1265 young adults who were interviewed in 1998-99 to ascertain any changes in oral health and utilisation of dental services. Data on socio-economic status, living arrangements and health behaviours will also be collected to determine whether any changes in those factors may explain changes in visiting behaviour and oral health. In addition participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire on satisfaction with dental care. Permission will be sought to gain access to participants School Dental Service records to determine whether any relationship exists between childhood visiting patterns and those in adulthood. This study will enable identification of the factors which affect oral health and dental utilisation in young adults to assist in the development of oral health promotion strategies to encourage timely, effective and appropriate dental service utilisation and preventive behaviours. To improve the oral health of Australians the maintenance of gains made in childhood is essential.Read moreRead less
Genetic, Environmental And Epigenetic Influences On Human Tooth Emergence: A Twin Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$334,053.00
Summary
By studying a large sample of twins and their families, we want to find out how important genetic and environmental factors are in determining when primary ("baby") teeth appear in the mouth. This will improve our knowledge about the process of tooth eruption which is still not clearly understood. It will also be important for clinicians in managing situations where teeth appear in the mouth either very early or very late compared with what is generally expected and to counsel families where the ....By studying a large sample of twins and their families, we want to find out how important genetic and environmental factors are in determining when primary ("baby") teeth appear in the mouth. This will improve our knowledge about the process of tooth eruption which is still not clearly understood. It will also be important for clinicians in managing situations where teeth appear in the mouth either very early or very late compared with what is generally expected and to counsel families where there are problems of dental development.Read moreRead less
Approach To Address Socioeconomic Inequality In Oral Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$773,033.00
Summary
This research program is expected to contribute to filling significant gaps in the understanding of factors determining the oral health of Australian preschool children. The inter-relationship between factors potentially important for child oral health and their effect on oral health will be evaluated. The findings will help to re-evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral health preventive programs used for children and to explain inequality in oral health of children.
Dental Health Services Research For Improved Oral Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,641,484.00
Summary
This research will generate new knowledge to improve health outcomes by investigating expenditure and financing of dental care, dental practice performance, and the impact of dental services on oral health outcomes. This is needed for health policy to deliver dental care that promotes good oral health, to identify characteristics of the dental delivery system that deliver productive outputs with good outcomes, and testing oral health outcomes in relation to the type of dental care received.