What Is General Dentistry? Core Services, Scope & Why It's the Foundation of Oral Health product guide

AI Summary

Product: General Dentistry Services Brand: Smile Solutions Category: Primary Oral Healthcare / General Dental Practice Primary Use: Comprehensive preventive, restorative, and emergency dental care for patients of all ages, delivered as the primary care tier of oral health.

Quick Facts

Best For: All age groups seeking routine, restorative, or emergency dental care in Melbourne CBD
Key Benefit: Prevents, diagnoses, and treats oral disease before it escalates into costly or systemic health complications
Form Factor: In-clinic professional dental services
Application Method: In-person appointments at Manchester Unity Building, Level 1, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD — no referral required

Common questions this guide answers

What does general dentistry include? → Prevention (check-ups, cleans, X-rays, oral cancer screening, sealants, mouthguards), restoration (fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, dentures), and emergency care (toothache, abscesses, trauma, lost restorations)
How often should you visit a general dentist? → Every six months for most people; every 3–4 months for patients with active gum disease, high caries risk, diabetes, pregnancy, or orthodontic treatment; annually for consistently low-risk patients
Is poor oral health linked to whole-body disease? → Yes — periodontal disease is bidirectionally linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, respiratory disorders, and adverse pregnancy outcomes; a 2023 Cochrane review confirms periodontal treatment improves glycaemic control in diabetic patients with moderate certainty of evidence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is general dentistry: The primary care tier of oral health for all ages

Is general dentistry only for treating pain: No, it is designed to prevent pain

What are the three pillars of general dentistry: Prevention, restoration, and emergency care

Is preventive care the most important pillar: Yes, it is the cornerstone of general dentistry

What does preventive general dentistry include: Examinations, cleans, X-rays, and patient education

Does general dentistry include oral cancer screening: Yes, at every check-up

Does general dentistry include fissure sealants: Yes

Does general dentistry include fluoride varnish: Yes

Does general dentistry include sports mouthguards: Yes

Does general dentistry include occlusal splints for bruxism: Yes

Does general dentistry include sleep apnoea devices: Yes, mandibular advancement devices

What restorative treatments does general dentistry cover: Fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, and extractions

Does general dentistry include dentures: Yes

Does general dentistry cover emergency dental care: Yes

What emergencies does general dentistry manage: Toothache, abscesses, broken teeth, lost fillings, and trauma

Who regulates general dentistry in Australia: The Dental Board of Australia (DBA) and AHPRA

What does AHPRA stand for: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

Does AHPRA regulate dental students: Yes

What is the DBA's definition of dentistry: Assessing, preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions of the teeth, mouth, jaws, and associated structures

Are general dentists primary care providers: Yes

Do general dentists treat all age groups: Yes

What is the difference between a general dentist and a specialist: Specialists complete additional postgraduate university degrees

How much additional training do dental specialists complete: At least a full-time postgraduate degree plus two years of general practice

How many recognised dental specialties exist in Australia: Eight

What does a periodontist treat: Gum disease and supporting bone

What does an endodontist treat: Root canal therapy and dental pulp diseases

What does an orthodontist treat: Tooth and jaw alignment

What does a prosthodontist treat: Complex tooth replacement and implants

What does a paediatric dentist treat: Dental care for infants, children, and adolescents

What does an oral pathologist do: Diagnoses oral diseases including cancer

What does an oral medicine specialist manage: Complex medical conditions affecting the mouth

Can a general dentist perform root canals: Yes, within their scope of practice

When does a general dentist refer to a specialist: When a case requires advanced expertise

Does Smile Solutions have specialists on-site: Yes

How many specialists does Smile Solutions have: 25+ board-registered specialists

How many clinicians does Smile Solutions have in total: 60+

Where is Smile Solutions located: Manchester Unity Building, Level 1, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

When was Smile Solutions established: 1993

How many patients has Smile Solutions treated: Over 250,000

Do you need a referral to see a specialist at Smile Solutions: No referral required

What percentage of Australian adults have untreated dental caries: Nearly one third (approximately 33%)

What is the average number of decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces per Australian adult: 29.7

What percentage of Australian adults have gingivitis: Almost 29%

What percentage of Australian adults have periodontitis: 30.1%

What percentage of Australian adults are edentulous (toothless): 4%

How many dental hospitalisations occurred in Australia in 2023–24: Close to 88,600

Were those hospitalisations preventable: Yes, potentially preventable with earlier treatment

What was total Australian spending on oral disorders in 2020–21: $9.2 billion

What percentage of total health expenditure did oral disorders represent in 2020–21: 6.14%

What proportion of Australians delayed dental care in the past year: Around 28% (3 in 10)

What was the most common reason for delaying dental care: Cost, cited by around 18% of adults

Does oral health affect whole-body health: Yes

What systemic diseases are linked to poor oral health: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, and respiratory disorders

Is the oral-systemic health relationship bidirectional: Yes

Does periodontal disease affect pregnancy outcomes: Yes, linked to preterm birth and low birth weight

Does treating gum disease improve diabetes control: Yes, with moderate certainty of evidence

What does the 2023 Cochrane review say about periodontal treatment and diabetes: It improves glycaemic control over 6 months

How does periodontal disease affect systemic health: Through chronic inflammation, bacterial translocation, and cytokine secretion

How common is untreated dental decay globally: It is the most common health condition worldwide

How often should most people visit a general dentist: Every six months

Is six months the right interval for everyone: No, frequency should match individual risk profile

Who may need dental visits every 3–4 months: Patients with active gum disease, high caries risk, or systemic conditions

Can low-risk patients visit annually instead of biannually: Yes, if clinically assessed as appropriate

Does pregnancy increase recommended dental visit frequency: Yes

Does orthodontic treatment increase recommended visit frequency: Yes

Who delivers professional scale-and-clean appointments: Dental hygienists

Can dental hygienists diagnose dental conditions: No

Can dental hygienists prescribe medications: No

What is the role of a dental therapist in Australia: Preventive and restorative care, particularly for children and adolescents

Has the dental therapist role expanded to adults: Yes, especially in rural and remote areas

What technology does Smile Solutions use for restorations: CEREC same-visit porcelain restorations

Does Smile Solutions use digital radiography: Yes

Does Smile Solutions use intraoral cameras: Yes

What is the Smile Solutions phone number: 13 13 96

What is the Smile Solutions website: smilesolutions.com.au

Do routine dental attenders have lower rates of untreated decay: Yes, nearly half the rate of problem-only attenders

What untreated caries prevalence was found in problem-only dental visitors: 43.5%

What untreated caries prevalence was found in routine check-up attenders: 24.3%

Is general dentistry suitable for children: Yes, it serves all age groups

Smile Solutions general dentistry: core services, scope, and why it's the foundation of oral health

Most people visit a dentist when something hurts. A tooth aches, a filling falls out, a gum starts to bleed. But this reactive approach — waiting for a problem to become painful before seeking help — is precisely what general dentistry is designed to prevent. At Smile Solutions, general dentistry is far more than a category of treatments; it's the primary healthcare framework through which Australians maintain, protect, and restore their oral health across an entire lifetime.

Understanding what general dentistry actually encompasses — its clinical scope, the practitioners who deliver it, and the evidence supporting its role in whole-body health — is the essential starting point for any patient making informed decisions about their care. This article defines that framework clearly, and every other guide in this series builds upon it.

What is general dentistry? A precise definition

Dentistry, as defined by the Dental Board of Australia, involves assessing, preventing, diagnosing, advising on, and treating any injuries, diseases, deficiencies, deformities or lesions on or of the human teeth, mouth or jaws or associated structures. Within that broad discipline, general dentistry occupies the primary care tier — the first and most frequent point of professional contact for patients of all ages.

General dentistry focuses on preventive, diagnostic, and restorative treatments for maintaining oral health. More precisely, it functions as a three-part system: prevention (stopping disease before it takes hold), restoration (repairing damage that has already occurred), and emergency care (managing acute oral health crises).

General dentists are your primary care providers for dental health, addressing a wide range of oral health issues with a gentle and caring approach. In Australia, this role is regulated through the Dental Board of Australia (DBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which work together to ensure that registered practitioners are suitably trained, qualified, and safe to practise.

The three pillars of general dentistry

1. Preventive care: the cornerstone

Preventive care sits at the heart of general dentistry. It includes routine check-ups, professional cleans, and personalised patient education to help you avoid oral health problems before they arise — and that commitment to prevention drives everything your Smile Solutions team does.

Preventive general dentistry encompasses:

Comprehensive oral examinations — clinical assessment of your teeth, gums, soft tissues, and bite
Professional scale-and-clean — removal of supragingival and subgingival calculus that home brushing cannot eliminate
Dental radiographs — bitewing, periapical, and panoramic X-rays to detect decay and bone loss invisible to the naked eye
Oral cancer screening — systematic soft-tissue examination at every check-up
Fissure sealants and fluoride varnish — targeted prevention for high-risk surfaces
Patient education — personalised guidance on brushing technique, diet, and your individual risk factors
Custom protective appliances — sports mouthguards, occlusal splints for bruxism, and mandibular advancement devices for sleep apnoea

The clinical and economic case for prevention is compelling. The highest prevalence of untreated dental caries was reported in those who visited a dentist for a dental problem (43.5%), while participants who visited for a check-up had the lowest prevalence (24.3%). Routine attenders show nearly half the rate of untreated decay compared to those who only present when symptoms arise. Investing in regular preventive care is one of the most evidence-based decisions you can make for your long-term health.

(For a detailed walkthrough of what happens during a comprehensive examination at Smile Solutions, see our guide on Dental Check-Ups at Smile Solutions Melbourne CBD: What to Expect at Every Stage.)

2. Restorative care: repairing what has been damaged

When prevention hasn't been sufficient — or when you present with existing disease — general dentistry shifts into restorative mode. General dentistry covers everything from basic cleans to fillings, crowns, and more advanced procedures like root canals.

Core restorative services include:

Tooth fillings — composite resin, porcelain (CEREC), and amalgam restorations for cavities
Crowns and bridges — full-coverage restorations for heavily damaged or missing teeth
Root canal therapy — removal of infected pulp to save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction
Extractions — removal of teeth that cannot be salvaged
Dentures — removable prosthetic options for multiple missing teeth

The goal throughout is to restore function and relieve discomfort while preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible — using the most appropriate, evidence-based approach for your individual situation.

(For a detailed comparison of filling materials available in Melbourne CBD — including composite, CEREC porcelain, and amalgam — see our guide on Tooth Fillings in Melbourne CBD: Composite, Porcelain (CEREC), and Amalgam Options Compared.)

3. Emergency dental care

Dental emergencies don't follow a schedule. A sudden toothache, a broken tooth, a lost filling — general dental services include emergency treatments to relieve pain, prevent further damage, and restore your oral health as efficiently as possible.

Emergency presentations managed within general dentistry include:

Severe toothache and dental abscess
Knocked-out (avulsed) or fractured teeth
Lost fillings, crowns, or broken restorations
Soft tissue trauma and lacerations
Impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth causing acute pain

(For first-aid guidance and triage protocols for each emergency type, see our guide on Emergency Dental Care in Melbourne CBD: What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency and What to Do First.)

General dentists vs. dental specialists: understanding the distinction

A common source of patient confusion is the difference between a general dentist and a dental specialist — a distinction that matters when navigating referrals, understanding costs, and choosing the right practice for your needs.

In Australia, dental specialists are dentists who have completed an additional full-time postgraduate degree at an accredited university, plus at least two years of general dental practice.

The recognised dental specialties in Australia (as listed by AHPRA and the Dental Board of Australia) include:

Specialty	Clinical focus
Periodontist	Prevention and treatment of gum disease and supporting bone
Endodontist	Root canal therapy and diseases of the dental pulp
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon	Surgical procedures involving teeth, jaws, and facial structures
Orthodontist	Correction of tooth and jaw alignment
Prosthodontist	Complex tooth replacement, implants, and prosthetics
Paediatric Dentist	Dental care for infants, children, and adolescents
Oral Pathologist	Diagnosis of oral diseases, including cancer
Oral Medicine Specialist	Management of complex medical conditions affecting the mouth

General dentists handle a wide variety of procedures — routine preventive care, restorative work, root canals, minor oral surgeries — while referring to specialists when a case warrants advanced expertise. That referral model is a feature, not a limitation. One of your general dentist's key roles is identifying potential problems before they become significant, helping you build healthier habits, and connecting you with specialist care when you need it.

At Smile Solutions Melbourne CBD, which houses endodontists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and other specialists under one roof at the Manchester Unity Building on Collins Street, your general dentist acts as the clinical coordinator of your complete oral health journey. This integrated model eliminates the delays, repeated consultations, and administrative friction that typically come with external specialist referrals — everything you need is in one place, with no referral required.

(For criteria to evaluate a dental practice's specialist access and overall quality, see our guide on How to Choose a General Dentist in Melbourne CBD: 10 Criteria That Separate Good Practices from Great Ones.)

Why general dentistry is the foundation of oral health: the evidence

The scale of the problem in Australia

The case for regular general dental care is supported by population-level data that reveals persistent, widespread disease burden — and underscores how much of this suffering is preventable.

According to the National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017–18, conducted by the University of Adelaide and the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH) — the most comprehensive Australian adult oral health survey to date — nearly one third of Australian adults had at least one tooth surface with untreated dental caries, with an average of 29.7 decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces per person. Almost 29% of adults presented with gingivitis, and the overall prevalence of periodontitis was 30.1%. Overall, 4% of adults were edentulous, with an average of 4.4 teeth lost due to pathology.

Around 3 in 10 people (28%) who needed to see a dental professional delayed or avoided doing so in the previous 12 months, and around 2 in 10 (18%) cited cost as the reason. The consequence of that delay is measurable: close to 88,600 hospitalisations for dental conditions in 2023–24 were potentially preventable with earlier treatment. Total expenditure on oral disorders reached $9.2 billion in 2020–21, accounting for 6.14% of all health spending.

This burden is largely avoidable. General dentistry — through early detection, professional cleaning, and timely restorative intervention — is how that cost is prevented from escalating. When you attend regular check-ups, you're not simply maintaining your smile; you're making a concrete investment in your broader health.

The oral-systemic health connection

Perhaps the most significant shift in our understanding of general dentistry's role is the recognition that your oral health doesn't exist in isolation from the rest of your body — and that good dental care has measurable effects on whole-body outcomes.

Dental caries and periodontal disease increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and respiratory disorders through mechanisms including chronic inflammation, bacterial translocation, and cytokine secretion. Poor oral health during pregnancy has also been associated with preterm birth and low birth weight.

The relationship runs in both directions. Systemic diseases can increase the risk of periodontitis, while oral infections can influence systemic health and contribute to conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Treatment works in both directions too. The most recent Cochrane review (2023) found that periodontal treatment with subgingival instruments improves glycaemic control over six months in patients with both diabetes and periodontitis, compared with no treatment or usual care, with moderate certainty of evidence.

Untreated dental decay is the most common health condition worldwide, affecting almost half the global population. This context reframes your general dentist not as a tooth mechanic, but as a primary healthcare provider whose interventions have evidence-based effects on your whole-body health.

(For a clinical deep-dive into gum disease progression and its systemic consequences, see our guide on Gum Disease Explained: Recognising Gingivitis and Periodontitis Before They Cause Permanent Damage.)

How often should you see a general dentist?

The standard recommendation of a check-up every six months is widely cited, but clinical guidelines increasingly recognise that visit frequency should be personalised to your individual risk profile rather than applied as a blanket rule.

For most people, every six months is appropriate. Those with gum disease, chronic conditions, or high cavity risk may benefit from more frequent visits to catch and manage any changes early.

Factors that typically warrant more frequent monitoring (every 3–4 months) include:

Active periodontal disease
High caries risk (frequent sugar intake, dry mouth, deep fissures)
Systemic conditions such as diabetes or immunosuppression
Pregnancy
Orthodontic treatment
A history of oral cancer

Conversely, patients with consistently excellent oral hygiene, no restorative history, and low risk profiles may be appropriate candidates for annual rather than biannual review. This is a personalised clinical decision made in partnership between you and your dentist — not a default protocol applied without thought.

(For a detailed explanation of examination frequency, imaging schedules, and what distinguishes a thorough check-up from a basic one, see our guide on Dental Check-Ups at Smile Solutions Melbourne CBD: What to Expect at Every Stage.)

The role of the dental team in general practice

Modern general dentistry is delivered by a coordinated team of clinicians, not a single practitioner working alone. Understanding each team member's role helps you navigate your appointments with confidence.

Your general dentist diagnoses, develops your personalised treatment plan, performs restorative procedures, extractions, and root canals, and coordinates specialist referrals when needed. The Dental Board of Australia expects all practitioners to work within the defined scope of dentistry — assessing, preventing, diagnosing, advising on, and treating any injuries, diseases, deficiencies, deformities or lesions on or of the human teeth, mouth or jaws or associated structures.

Your dental hygienist delivers professional scale-and-clean appointments, subgingival debridement, fluoride treatments, and personalised oral hygiene instruction. Hygienists cannot diagnose dental conditions, prescribe medications, or perform surgical procedures — those responsibilities sit with dentists.

Dental therapists and oral health therapists focus on preventive and restorative care, particularly for children and adolescents. Over time, their role has expanded to include some adult care, especially in rural and remote areas where dental services are limited.

Working as a coordinated team is central to providing a high standard of care — each patient receives the most appropriate treatment from the most suitable practitioner. That principle underpins how Smile Solutions operates across its 60+ strong clinical team.

(For a detailed explanation of the hygienist's specific role in professional cleaning appointments, see our guide on Professional Dental Cleans & Hygienist Appointments: How Scale-and-Clean Works and Why It Matters.)

Key takeaways

General dentistry is a three-part discipline covering preventive, restorative, and emergency care — it's the primary care tier of oral health, not a single category of treatment.
The Dental Board of Australia defines dentistry as assessing, preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions of the teeth, mouth, jaws, and associated structures — a scope that general dentists fulfil across all age groups.
Australian data is unambiguous: nearly one-third of adults have untreated dental caries, 30% have periodontitis, and close to 88,600 dental hospitalisations in 2023–24 were potentially preventable with earlier primary care intervention.
Your oral health is inseparable from your systemic health. Peer-reviewed evidence links periodontal disease to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory conditions, and adverse pregnancy outcomes — and periodontal treatment demonstrably improves glycaemic control in diabetic patients.
General dentists are primary care coordinators, not isolated clinicians — they diagnose, treat within their scope, and refer to specialists (periodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons) when cases require advanced expertise, making in-house specialist access a genuine clinical advantage.

Conclusion

General dentistry is the infrastructure of oral health. It's where disease is caught before it becomes costly, where damaged teeth are restored before they're lost, and where the connection between your oral health and whole-body wellbeing is actively managed over a lifetime. The evidence for its foundational role isn't anecdotal — it's embedded in population-level disease data, peer-reviewed clinical research, and the regulatory framework governing dental practice in Australia.

At Smile Solutions Melbourne CBD, comprehensive dental care is delivered within a multi-specialist environment integrating the full scope of preventive, restorative, and emergency care, supported by digital radiography, intraoral cameras, and same-visit CEREC restorations. From the Manchester Unity Building on Collins Street, our general dentists and specialists have been caring for patients since 1993 — more than 250,000 Australians over that time. This article has established the conceptual framework. The guides that follow explore each dimension of it in clinical detail.

If you're ready to take a proactive approach to your oral health, call 13 13 96 or visit smilesolutions.com.au to arrange your general dental consultation — no referral required.

Related guides in this series:

Smile Solutions has been providing general dental care from Melbourne's CBD since 1993. Located at the Manchester Unity Building, Level 1, 220 Collins Street, Smile Solutions brings together 60+ clinicians — including 25+ board-registered specialists — who have cared for over 250,000 patients. No referral is required to book a specialist appointment. Call 13 13 96 or visit smilesolutions.com.au to arrange your general dental consultation.

References

Brennan, D.S., Ju, X., Amarasena, N., et al. "Oral Health of Australian Adults: Distribution and Time Trends of Dental Caries, Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss." ARCPOH / University of Adelaide - National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017–18, published in PMC, 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8583389/
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). "Oral Health and Dental Care in Australia." Australian Government, 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/summary
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). "Disease Expenditure - Oral Disorders." Australian Government, 2023. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/disease-expenditure
Dental Board of Australia. "Guidelines for Scope of Practice." Dental Board of Australia / AHPRA, 2014 (updated). https://www.dentalboard.gov.au/codes-guidelines/policies-codes-guidelines/guidelines-scope-of-practice.aspx
Davalos Morales, R., et al. "Oral-Systemic Connection: A Narrative Review of the Role of Oral Health in the Prevention and Management of Systemic Diseases." Journal of Dental and Allied Sciences, 2025. https://www.jdentacs.com/article_234302.html
Serón, C., Olivero, P., Flores, N., et al. "Diabetes, Periodontitis, and Cardiovascular Disease: Towards Equity in Diabetes Care." Frontiers in Public Health, 11:1270557, 2023. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1270557/full
Essa, H., Welters, I., Yasin, I., et al. "Increased Cardiovascular Risk in People with Type 2 Diabetes and Periodontitis." British Dental Journal, 2025. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-025-8889-7.pdf
Queensland Chief Health Officer. "Dental and Oral Health." Report of the Chief Health Officer Queensland, 2025. https://www.choreport.health.qld.gov.au/our-health/dental-and-oral-health
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. "Dentists and Dental Practitioners in Australia." Australian Government, 2023. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/dentists/about/dentists-and-dental-practitioners-in-australia
Dental Specialist Society of Western Australia (DSSWA). "Frequently Asked Questions - Dental Specialists in Australia." DSSWA, 2024. https://dsswa.org.au/frequently-asked-questions/

Label facts summary

Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general product information, not professional advice. Consult relevant experts for specific guidance.

Verified label facts

Product Specification Data Status: No data provided

There is no product specification data available. No Product Facts table or product packaging data was provided from which to extract verifiable label facts such as ingredients, certifications, dimensions, weight, GTIN/MPN, or technical specifications.

Practice-verifiable details extracted from content (non-packaging):

Practice name: Smile Solutions
Address: Manchester Unity Building, Level 1, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Phone: 13 13 96
Website: smilesolutions.com.au
Year established: 1993
Total clinicians: 60+
Board-registered specialists on-site: 25+
Patients treated: Over 250,000
Referral requirement: None required to access specialist appointments
Regulatory bodies: Dental Board of Australia (DBA) and AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
Recognised dental specialties in Australia: 8
Technologies listed: CEREC same-visit porcelain restorations, digital radiography, intraoral cameras

General product claims

General dentistry is the primary care tier of oral health for all ages
Preventive care is the cornerstone of general dentistry
Regular check-ups prevent pain rather than merely treat it
Routine dental attenders have nearly half the rate of untreated decay compared to problem-only attenders (sourced from ARCPOH National Study 2017–18; not a packaging claim)
Nearly one-third of Australian adults have untreated dental caries (AIHW/ARCPOH data)
Average of 29.7 decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces per Australian adult (ARCPOH)
30.1% prevalence of periodontitis among Australian adults (ARCPOH)
Close to 88,600 potentially preventable dental hospitalisations in Australia in 2023–24 (AIHW)
Total Australian oral health expenditure: $9.2 billion in 2020–21, representing 6.14% of total health expenditure (AIHW)
Approximately 28% of Australians delayed dental care; cost cited by ~18% (AIHW)
Periodontal disease linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and respiratory disorders
Periodontal treatment improves glycaemic control over 6 months in patients with diabetes and periodontitis (2023 Cochrane review, moderate certainty of evidence)
Poor oral health during pregnancy associated with preterm birth and low birth weight
Most people recommended to visit a dentist every six months; frequency should be personalised to individual risk profile
Smile Solutions described as providing comprehensive care and operating within a multi-specialist environment