BBC - More calls for fluoridation
Child dental scheme 'fails poor'
Affluent children were more likely to have treatment after screening The UK-wide programme to screen school children for tooth decay should be scrapped because it does not improve dental health, government experts say. A trial of 17,000 children found those from poor backgrounds benefit least from screening despite having much higher rates of dental disease. The Department of Health says primary care trusts should consider investing the funds saved in other strategies.
Experts said adding fluoride to drinking water would have more impact. Children aged six to nine years are currently screened at least three times for signs of tooth decay by dentists who go into schools. This is a signal to PCTs that dental screening is dead in the water
Those found to need further treatment are sent home with a letter asking them to go to their dentist. But research suggests follow-up is poor.
Perhaps they can't find a NHS dentist.
Affluent children were more likely to have treatment after screening The UK-wide programme to screen school children for tooth decay should be scrapped because it does not improve dental health, government experts say. A trial of 17,000 children found those from poor backgrounds benefit least from screening despite having much higher rates of dental disease. The Department of Health says primary care trusts should consider investing the funds saved in other strategies.
Experts said adding fluoride to drinking water would have more impact. Children aged six to nine years are currently screened at least three times for signs of tooth decay by dentists who go into schools. This is a signal to PCTs that dental screening is dead in the water
Those found to need further treatment are sent home with a letter asking them to go to their dentist. But research suggests follow-up is poor.
Perhaps they can't find a NHS dentist.
posted by Bill at
9:54 AM
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