Faculty of Education - Research Publications
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ItemTrends in the prevalence and distribution of teacher-identified special health-care needs across three successive population cohorts(WILEY, 2019-03)AIM: Some children's special health-care needs (SHCN) are formalised at the start of schooling (established SHCN), but a larger proportion start with difficulties that are milder or not yet diagnosed (emerging SHCN). This study explores whether: (i) the prevalence of teacher-identified SHCN (both overall and according to type of needs) and (ii) distribution across disadvantaged communities have changed over three successive population cohorts of Australian children. METHODS: We draw on repeated cross-sectional data from the Australian Early Development Census, a teacher-reported checklist completed on full populations of Australian school entrants in 2009, 2012 and 2015. It includes a measure of SHCN, as well as demographic information. RESULTS: The proportion of children with emerging and established needs was mostly stable from 2009 to 2015 (emerging needs: 17.1-18.9%; established needs: 4.4-4.9%). Change over time was observed in the prevalence of some specific types of impairment. Speech impairment rose by 14.7% for children with emerging needs, and emotional problems rose by 13.7% for children with established needs. Children living in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods had higher odds of SHCN in all years (e.g. emerging needs relative risk ratio 1.65 (99% confidence interval 1.55-1.75) in 2015; established needs relative risk ratio 1.88 (99% confidence interval 1.71-2.06) in 2015). CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of children starting school each year have SHCN. The types of SHCN that children present with increasingly reflect complex difficulties that require input from both the health and education sectors. Effective responses also need to consider the added impact of disadvantage.
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ItemThe Impact of Policy Modifiable Factors on Inequalities in Rates of Child Dental Caries in Australia(MDPI, 2019-06-01)Background: Poor oral health in childhood can lead to adverse impacts later in life. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and population distribution of childhood dental caries in Australia and investigate factors that might ameliorate inequalities. Methods: Data from the nationally representative birth cohort Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 5107), using questions assessing: The experience of dental caries during each biennial follow-up period (2-3 years to 10-11 years), socioeconomic position (SEP), and policy modifiable oral health factors. Results: The odds of dental caries were higher for children with lowest vs. highest SEP (adjusted OR (adjOR) 1.92, 95% CI 1.49-2.46), and lower where water was fluoridated to recommended levels (adjOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.43-0.64). There was no evidence of an association between caries experience and either reported sugary diet or tooth brushing. When SEP and fluoridation were considered in conjunction, compared to the highest SEP group with water fluoridation children in the lowest SEP with fluoridation had adjOR 1.54 for caries, (95% CI 1.14-2.07), and children in the lowest SEP without fluoridation had adjOR 4.06 (95% CI 2.88-5.42). For patterns of service use: The highest SEP group reported a greater percentage of service use in the absence of caries. Conclusions: Dental caries appears prevalent and is socially distributed in Australia. Policy efforts should consider how to ensure that children with dental caries receive adequate prevention and early care with equitable uptake.