Success in child dental health

Targetted dental programs for kids in western NSW and the APY lands have improved the decay rates for school children.

The Maari Ma program in NSW has improved the incidence of permanent tooth decay in 12 year olds from a rate of 40% kids caries free (in 2007) to 71% caries free (in 2011).  In 2007 the NSW state average for caries free 12 year olds was 65%.

In 2014 the rate of caries free permanent teeth in 12 year olds on the APY lands, serviced by Nganampa Health, was 68%.  The corresponding State (South Australian) figures for caries free rates in 12 year olds were 60% statewide, and 46.8% in remote/very remote communities.

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