Aim: The Oral Health Competence Centre of the Austrian National Public Health Institute
(GÖG) conducted the Austrian Oral Health Survey 2023/24. The primary aim was to
assess the clinical dental health and oral health behaviours of 6- to 7-year-old children
in Austria using defined (social) epidemiological indicators.
Methods: This is a longitudinal oral epidemiological study, complemented by a social
science survey, conducted on a nationally representative sample. Data were collected
from 6- to 7-year-old children in primary level 1 (birth cohorts 2016 and 2017) between
October 2023 and June 2024.
Results: The nationwide sample includes 4,084 primary school children. The trend
toward an increasing prevalence of caries-free dentition in Austria continues, although
the rate of improvement is slowing. Currently, 58% of children have a caries-free primary
dentition, meaning the WHO target of 80% remains unmet. While treatment needs
continue to decline, a substantial care gap persists: 29% of children require acute dental
treatment, and the restorative treatment index remains low at 28%. The average caries
burden (d₃mft index) stands at 1.9 nationwide (2016: 2.0), placing Austria in the mid�range compared to other European countries. The prevalence of molar-incisor
hypomineralization is 13%, with hypomineralization in primary teeth observed in 5% of
children; 15% are affected in both dentitions. Parents are generally able to accurately
assess their children's objectively measured oral health, underscoring their key role in
caries prevention. Although most children attend regular dental check-ups, some have
their first dental visit relatively late, and 7% have never seen a dentist.
Conclusions: The survey demonstrates significant progress in dental health among 6- to
7-year-old children in Austria. However, it also highlights the pressing need to address
social and regional disparities and to further optimise preventive and treatment
strategies.