Relative Affordability of Private Dentistry in Australia over the Past Decade

The aim of this study was to analyze private dental fees in Australia in relation to weekly earnings as a measure of relative affordability, looking at changes from 2014 to 2022 and geographic differences within Australia.

Using publicly available data from the Australian Dental Association, fees for select dental procedures were calculated based on national averages and compared with weekly full-time earnings across 2014 to 2022. The proportion of full-time weekly earnings (at various percentile levels) required to pay for procedures was analyzed.

Mean private practice fees for the 6 dental procedures increased 5.3% to 16.8% between 2014 and 2022. Median weekly full-time earnings increased 24.2% from $1,208 to $1,500. There were smaller increases in income for those below the 25th percentile and larger increases above the 75th percentile. The proportion of median weekly full-time income required to pay for various procedures declined from 2014 to 2022, with a dental checkup costing 22% of median income in 2014 and 18.7% in 2022. Variations were apparent across and within states. For those in the lower income groups, dental treatment consumed a much larger proportion of their weekly earnings than those on higher incomes.

Private dental fees have not increased greater than average weekly earnings over the past decade. Focusing on price misses only the additional context of the competing costs of other necessities, particularly when they are increasing at a rate higher than inflation and income. Improving our understanding of relative affordability is important in informing policies designed to address the broader inequalities evident in access to dental care.Knowledge Transfer Statement:This study found that although private dental fees have not increased greater than average weekly earnings over the past decade, income inequality and geographic fee variability are likely to affect dental visiting patterns. This is important for those advocating measures to improve access to care through a better understanding of dental care affordability.