The report, "Dental attendance patterns and oral health status" released last week found that "forty per cent of Australian adults visit the dentist at least once a year for a check-up while nearly 30% visit infrequently and usually for a dental problem. Those with an unfavourable pattern of dental attendance had more than 3 times the level of untreated decay and 1.6 times more teeth missing due to dental disease than those with a favourable pattern of attendance. They were also more likely to report avoiding or delaying dental care due to the cost and being very afraid or distressed when making a dental visit".

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