Medical Service Use for Dental Problems in Australia: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To examine how and why Australians seek medical rather than dental care for dental problems, and to describe the pathways and treatments provided within medical settings. Subjects and Methods: Data were drawn from the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey (NDTIS) 2021, a nationally representative survey of 5,526 adults. Survey-weighted analyses estimated the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of medical service use for dental problems. Among respondents who sought medical care, we identified the highest-intensity pathway used (general practice/other primary care, emergency department, hospital admission) and described treatment received (including prescription medications, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and referrals) stratified by reason for presentation. Results: Overall, 4.4% of adults sought medical care for a dental problem in the preceding year. Prevalence was substantially higher among Indigenous adults (13.5%), low-income groups (6.5%), and those eligible for public dental care (8.5%). Emergency departments were the dominant pathway (76.9%), followed by hospital admission (13.6%) and primary care (9.5%). Toothache/wisdom-tooth problems and oral injuries had the highest rates of antibiotic prescribing, while procedural care predominated for oral injuries. Other acute dental problems were managed heterogeneously, with many receiving only advice or symptomatic treatment. Referral to a dentist was uncommon across all groups. Conclusion: A significant proportion of Australians rely on medical services for dental problems, particularly those facing financial and geographic barriers to dental care. These encounters frequently provide symptomatic rather than definitive treatment and rarely include referral for follow-up dental care. The findings highlight gaps in access to timely dental services and the need for strengthened integration between medical and dental systems, improved referral mechanisms, and policy interventions to reduce preventable and inappropriate medical presentations for dental conditions.