Industry professionals encourage adults to change their dental health with preventative measures, and for young adults and children to form good dental routines, to save their smiles in light of concerning research into the state’s oral health.

New data shows western Victoria has worse rates of untreated decay for all age groups than the state average, except those aged under five years old.

About 51 per cent of western Victoria residents are eligible for public oral health services but Dental Health Services Victoria’s high level oral health and service access data indicates only 30 per cent of those eligible are accessing care at a public dental clinic.

Hepburn Health dental coordinator Elizabeth McLoughlin-Finn said dental health should take a community approach, like school canteens eliminating sugary foods like doughnuts and sugary drinks, with diet a major factor in both oral and general well-being.

“It’s also about the frequency of sugars people are having every day – if you’re eating sugars more often, that’s going to have a greater impact,” Ms McLoughlin-Finn said.

“A well-balanced diet helps promote clean teeth and for people to live lighter.

Ms McLoughlin-Finn said people should not underestimate the importance of brushing twice a day, flossing right and eating a healthy diet, including calcium, as protective dental measures.

Hepburn Health has dental staff in Creswick and Daylesford who also work closely with a HHS dietician to educate people on eating the right foods.

DHSV chief executive officer Deborah Cole said low-income families tended to present higher rates of decay but they were usually able to access more dental care, via the public system, than those juggling costs without health concessions.

“We’ve been quite surprised how often people are unaware what care is available,” Ms Cole said. “At the moment the Commonwealth child dental benefits are still open so cost is not a reason for kids to miss out on the dentist and there is no wait for children.

“Cases are triaged so those at higher risk and needing emergency care can be seen straight away. People need to know they are not forgotten.”

Hepburn Health will ensure emergency cases be seen, even if this means getting patients in at nearby clinics, if unable to see a patient in-house.

Dental experts are calling for federal reform to help reduce cost, which is proving  a huge barrier nationwide deterring people from treatment. There is also uncertainly whether the Commonwealth’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule’s free care for children will continue after the federal election.

Ms Cole urged public and private patients to get in the system and have a regular check-ups to avoid larger long-term dental problems.