A new research report released by the Royal Flying Doctor Service paints an alarming picture of oral health in the bush, particularly for children.
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The number of filled teeth remote area kids have is double that of their city cousins, the report shows.
There's also bad news for adults in remote areas, with more than one-third having untreated tooth decay, compared with 23 per cent of adults in metropolitan areas.
Cities also have three times as many working dentists as country areas.
The information contained in the report is concerning, but it can be hoped it may also be the wake-up call that is needed.
Frustratingly the report shows that the poor oral health experienced by country Australians is preventable.
The RFDS has through The Outback Oral Therapy and Health (TOOTH) program conducted clinics to four western NSW centres, serviced from its base in Dubbo.
This program shows that it is possible to deliver dental care to isolated areas and to improve outcomes, and reverse the trend of decay.
Health Minister Sussan Ley has said the government is committed to reforming dental health services to ensure all Australians receive timely access to dental care.
She reported that last year almost 100,000 children in outer regional and remote areas received almost $30 million under the Child Dental Benefits Scheme.
The minister says she will continue to look closely at dental services in the bush through the reform process and that's something we should hold her to.
