Indigenous Australian Youth: “Give Poor Oral Health the

Boot”By: Mohammed Ali, Ray Dagher,

David Hyung Woo Jin, Charlie Thompson and Brian Monaghan

Indigenous Australians: An Overview

~ 550 000 Indigenous Australians 2.5 % of total population

~50% live outside metropolitan areas

55% are part of the workforce

Earn 38% less per week than non-indigenous ($450)

86% speak English at home Indigenous Australians downloaded 07.03.2011 from http://www.thenewblackmagazine.com/PhotoFiles/Picture%20037.jpg

Indigenous Australian Youth 38 % of the total

population is under 15 At School: poor

performance, high absenteeism and low retention rates Only 23% complete year 12

4.5 % under judicial supervision Aboriginal Kid downloaded 07.03.2011 from

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/File:Aboriginal_Kid.jpg

Indigenous Australian Health Concerns

Live ~ 10 years less when compared to non-indigenous

1 in 8 have a chronic heart condition Diabetes is 3.5x more common with

aboriginals 50% smoke daily

Indigenous Australians and Oral Health

~ 3x the amount of decayed, missing and filled teeth in deciduous and permanent dentition

Higher rates of periodontal disease

(Jamieson et. Al, 2007)

Caries downloaded 07.03.2011 from http://www.doctorspiller.com/Tooth_Decay.htm

Gum Disease downloaded 07.03.2011 from http://blog.itechtalk.com/2009/treating-gum-disease-naturally/

Socioeconomic Status and Oral Health

40% brush teeth daily 31% cant remember the

last time they visited the dentist

Correlation between caries development and economic status

-lack of oral health info, resources ($) and access to dentist (Jamieson et. Al, 2007)

How Can We Successfully Promote Oral Health To Indigenous Australian Youth?

School? Dental Surgery? Community Program?

Cartoon-Toothbrush-Toothpaste downloaded 07.03.2011 from www.teethwhiteningreviews.ca

Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation downloaded 07.03.2011 from http://www.orac.gov.au/

Indigenous Australians and Australian Rules Football (Footy)“Australian rules football has a special place in the culture of many

Aboriginal communities. In some instances it has become as much as 'an obsession' and a tool to keep children in school and promote healthy lifestyle messages. In many communities the 'footy' plays a crucial role in keeping people together, offering them an opportunity to meet and exchange news while they cheer the team on…In this way every football game is anavenue to health and well-being for each individual.”

-'A racist? What rot!', Koori Mail 426, p.85

Indigenous Australians and Footy

The AFL's Indigenous programs reach more than 87,000 Aboriginal people

Four AFL clubs engage with Aboriginal communities: Essendon (Wadeye), Geelong (Gove and Groote), Richmond (Alice Springs) and Collingwood (Katherine)

25 AFL Indigenous academies operate across the country

385319_1_O.jpg downloaded 08.03.2011 from http://www.sportingpulse.com/

Aboriginal Kids-GSP Images downloaded 08.03.2011 from http://www.theroar.com.au/

References1. Australian Human rights commission

-http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/statistics/index.html

2. http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/health-facts/summary

3. Review of Aboriginal Education-Ngarrambi Nyaagaygamba

4. 'A racist? What rot!', Koori Mail 426, p.85