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Public funding of dental care in Australia is disproportionately for the wealthy, leaving the poor and indigenous populations worse off. But that is changing. With technology such as the DOM (dentistry management system), it is now possible to automate patient reminders for preventive and follow-up care. DOM uses artificial intelligence to schedule follow-up appointments and preventive care.
Public funding for dental care in Australia favours the financially and orally better off
Public funding for dental care in Australia is a mixed bag, with different approaches favouring different groups of Australians. The Coalition has favoured state-based public dental services and private health insurance rebates, while Labor has favored state-based public dental services and means-tested Medicare benefits for preventative health check-ups.
As a result, many Australians do not receive the appropriate level of oral care, and their determinants are not addressed. This causes them to incur expenses they cannot afford and to remain on waiting lists for more invasive procedures. This deferred care leads to increased health costs for individuals, governments and the community. It can lead to more frequent visits to emergency departments and GPs, which in turn can lead to hospitalisations.
The McConnell Dental findings of the Australian study are consistent with findings in other countries. In Australia, the number of dental visits is related to age, annual household income, government benefit cardholder status, and dental insurance coverage. In particular, those with government benefit cards report higher rates of dental problems and a higher likelihood of extractions and fillings. Women are more likely to visit dentists than men.
DOM automates patient reminders to schedule follow-up and prevent care
Automated patient reminders are an important part of your patient outreach program. Not only can they reduce no-shows, but they also help you scale patient outreach efforts. The key to a successful patient outreach program is timely, meaningful interactions with your patients. By using technology to automate your outreach efforts, you can reach more patients, improve your retention rate, and lower your costs.
By automating patient reminders, physician practices can remind patients of preventive care due dates and provide an easy way to schedule follow-up appointments. The technology can be integrated with existing systems like EMRs or registry systems. It can also help your practice identify patient care gaps and deploy targeted reminder campaigns.
Automated patient reminders are an efficient and cost-effective way to communicate with patients. They are also accessible outside of the traditional clinic setting, and they can be customized to send patients personalized messages. Additionally, there is no age limit for the recipients of these automated patient reminders.
Aboriginal children accounted for 3% of total dental hospital admission
A new study has revealed that dental hospital admissions among Aboriginal children accounted for as much as three per cent of total dental hospital admissions in Australia in 2012. The reason for the gap between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous children in dental health is unclear. However, the gaps are wide and pronounced, and the study team is keen to close them. To do so, the study team will engage with Aboriginal reference groups and Aboriginal leadership to develop a research plan that will inform health services.
The research team will collect data from publicly available literature and from interviews with key informants to understand the reasons for this gap. The study will use these data to create a model that examines the intensity of admissions, presentation and length of stay for children in general. The study will also consider the context in which Aboriginal children experience these risks.
While the study does not look at dental hospital admissions by race, Aboriginal children did show a greater frequency of soft-tissue disorders than non-Indigenous children. This is due to the fact that Aboriginal children are more likely to suffer from toothaches or gum disease than non-Indigenous children.
Impact of poor oral health on the teeth and gums
There are numerous negative consequences to poor oral health, including tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and tooth loss. To prevent these consequences, it’s crucial to establish a good oral hygiene routine and stick to it. However, even good oral hygiene can’t guarantee a shiny, clean smile.
Bad oral health also puts people at risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because plaque from infected gums can travel to the arteries in the heart, where it can cause an infection or thicken the walls. This, in turn, can lead to blocked blood flow, increasing your risk of heart attacks or strokes. Furthermore, the bacteria can also cause inflammation of the heart’s lining, increasing the risk of endocarditis. This inflammation can also affect the brain, resulting in a higher risk of stroke.
The inflammation caused by gingivitis increases the risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis, a disease associated with inflammation. However, using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash products can help prevent and treat gingivitis and increase your oral health.
