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Media response: Deteriorating state of Australian seniors' oral health

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Australian Dental Association
Australian Dental Association
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10 April 2025
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1 minute read
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  • Oral health
  • Advocacy
  • Federal election
  • In the media

An ADA media release citing an ADA survey that found seniors are skipping vital dental treatments because they can’t afford it, with declining oral health the result, has attracted a significant media response.

Media Response Deteriorating State Of Australian Seniors' Oral Health

The article, "Survey finds seniors' oral health worse than the rest of the nation", published 9 April and part of the ADA's ongoing advocacy in this area, noted that:

Seniors are skipping vital dental treatments because they can’t afford it - with declining oral health the result, new research out today (9 April) shows.

Australian Dental Association (ADA) findings from its annual study (1) of 25,000 people found in the last 12 months over half (55%) of all over 65s delayed seeking dental treatment.

Affordability was the main reason, with two in three (64%) of over 65s delaying dental trips in the last year because they couldn’t afford it.

Also, nearly half (47%) of this age group reported debilitating oral issues including recent tooth or gum pain, mouth or face swelling, or a mouth infection, compared to 36% of the rest of the community.

Further, seniors make fewer trips to the dentist than the rest of the population – with 37% of seniors visiting every 2-5 years compared to 35% of other age groups, and 23% of seniors visiting every 5 years compared to 20% of other age groups.

Here's a selection of the media coverage generated.