Good oral health is important for a person’s physical health and wellbeing,¹ with the adverse effects of poor oral health extending beyond the teeth and gums of the individual. While tooth decay, periodontal disease and tooth loss^1,2 are the most common oral health diseases, poor oral health can cause pain, infection, difficulties with speech and eating, is associated with chronic disease and contributes poor mental health and wellbeing.^1,3 Additionally, poor oral health and decay in early childhood is also associated with impaired growth, decreased weight gain, poor school performance and future dental caries.⁴ Significant barriers to dental care remain in Australia, which also contributes to poor dental health.

Conditions that may require extra preventive care include³:

• medications and conditions that are known to cause xerostomia (or dry mouth)
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• patient belonging to other special populations (listed below).

For guidance on the use of fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated products for children, please refer to the Guidelines for the use of fluorides in Australia: Update 2019.

For specific recommendations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please refer to the National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Chapter 8: Oral and dental health.

Advise pregnant women to visit a dentist for treatment of all active dental decay and periodontal disease. For recommendations, refer to the During pregnancy chapter.

Australia’s National Oral Health Plan 2015–2024 highlights several priority populations, which are the groups that experience the most significant barriers to accessing oral healthcare and the greatest burden of oral disease. They are:¹

• people who are socially disadvantaged or on low incomes, which includes
  • low income and/or receiving some form of government income assistance
  • refugees
  • homeless people
  • some people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • people in institutions or correctional facilities
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• people living in regional and remote Australia
• people with additional and/or specialised healthcare needs, including
• people living with mental illness
• people with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities
• people with complex medical needs
• frail older people.

Some populations experience significant financial and access barriers to preventive dental care and treatment in Australia. GPs have the opportunity to identify people who may require extra preventive care, support and education

Guidelines on the self-use of fluoride products in Australia:
Guidelines for the use of fluorides in Australia: Update 2019 | LG Do, Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health