Dental Coverage in Australia - Article Example

Mostly the adult population is the working people in the society. The high number of people affected by oral health affects their total capacity. As the population suffers from poor health their productivity levels are very low due to a lack of concentration. Additionally, not only do they waste a lot of time while seeking medical attention, but they also have low self-esteem, a factor that significantly contributes to the low output of employees. Consequences of poor performance in any job position are either facing the cask or demotion, which is a rather lighter charge.

The article, “Trends in Access to dental care among Australian Adults 1994–2008” looks at the relationship between access to dental care and the time taken by adults in Australia over several years. As the trends improve among the people, so do the people’s oral health condition, which subsequently leads to the people's job performance. Poor dental health is associated with poor job performance among employed people. According to the article, with time, people have increasingly had access to dental care, as statistics reveal. From 1994 to 2008, the proportion of adults classified as concession cardholders rose from 20.3% to 23.2%. The lowest proportion of all cardholders ranged between 25-44 years, while the oldest holder was at 65 years. Between 1994 and 1996, dental insurance covered at least 40% of adults which was a steady decline from the percentage reported in 1994 at 42.0%. Further, in 1999, it maintained a downward trend and was reported at 36.2%. Over one in every two adults made a dental visit to the dentist in the 12 months before the study that took place between 1994 and 2008 (Harford, Ellershaw & Spencer 2011, p. 6). These statistics show deteriorating dental health coverage. A person with a dental problem does not exhibit high concentration levels when working.  Statistically, the high rate of people visiting the dentist is alarming. The more people visit the dentist, the more time they spend away from their work. Promotions based on attendance are likely to escape these individuals. The higher the number of hours these people spend at the dentists’ the more they lose promotional opportunities at their job places. The lack of insurance among employed people has also negatively impacted job retaining capacity among the employees. They also lose in their motivational packages. Oral health is a major determinant of the general health and hygiene of a person.

The report, “Projected demand and supply for dental visits in Australia: analysis of the impact of changes in key inputs” shows the various effects and factors that are likely to take place in case the number of dentists increases in Australia. Just as the economic law of demand and supply illustrates, the increase in the supply of dentistry services leads to a positive increase in the people’s job retaining capacity as well as their chances of promotion. The report indicates that the number of dentists is likely to increase by 33% from what it was in 2005 to a larger figure in 2020. Experts anticipate that the number of dentists will grow from 10,104 to 13,465. Subsequently, the total aggregate supply of dental visits is expected to increase by 17% from 28.9 million visits in 2005 to 33.7 million in 2020. There is also an expected sharp rise in demand for dentists from 28.2 million visits in 2005 to 33.6 million visits in 2020 (Teusner, Chrisopoulos & Spencer 2008, p. 6). These trends are likely to have a positive impact on people’s careers and job-retaining capacity. Many people miss out on job opportunities due to their poor oral health. Poor oral health reduces the employment opportunities available to people. An increase in the supply of dentists will bring the cost of dentists’ services down. This will result in more people visiting dental clinics for their dental checkups. One of the factors currently contributing to low levels of people seeking medical attention for their oral health is the lack of funds, yet the cost is rather high. However, when the prices fall due to an increase in demand, more people will be in a position to afford the service which will increase their chances of acquiring jobs.

The article, “Improving Oral Health and Dental Care for Australians” look at the relationship between improved oral health and dental care for Australians and the improvement of their quality of life (Harford & Spencer, 2008, p. 5). People with bad dental health are associated with low quality of life both socially and economically. Economically, good oral health improves the lives of people as it gives these people an opportunity to acquire job opportunities. Approximately 69% of Australians do not have access to regular dental care and checkup. 29% of these people visit the clinic unfavorably while 39% have an intermediate pattern of visiting a dental clinic. This figure indicates a high number of people suffering economically due to a lack of job opportunities due to their poor oral health. However, if access to dental care was improved, there would be fewer people suffering due to poor oral health. Jobs would be easy to find and promotions come easy to these people.