NZ - "Luddite" view on fluoridation!
Planned new dental clinics a step closer
By KAMALA HAYMAN - The Press | Monday, 12 February 2007
A $31 million project to tackle soaring rates of tooth decay in Canterbury children has passed its first hurdle. Canterbury youngsters have the worst teeth in the country, with the richest Fendalton children suffering decay rates equal to those from the poorest parts of south Auckland. Martin Lee, clinical director for school and community dental services, said a lack of fluoride in the water was to blame, with poorer households hardest hit. On average, half of Canterbury children will have at least one cavity before their sixth birthday. But in the lowest deciles, the average five-year-old has four rotting teeth.
Lee said cases such as that of a four-year-old girl who needed 16 rotten teeth pulled out were not unusual. In a bid to improve the care of children's teeth, the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has approved a business plan for 12 new community clinics and 20 mobile units to replace 128 school dental clinics.
If approved by a regional capital committee this month, and then the Health Ministry, the four-year building project will begin at the end of next year. Lee said the inequalities were widening, with rates of tooth decay in early childhood doubling in Christchurch between 1996 and 2004. He said the current school dental clinics could not cope. The buildings were "a disgrace" there were severe staff shortages, with the mean age of dental therapists now 53. School dental clinics built in the 1950s and 60s were cramped and outdated and unattractive to new graduates. "The facilities don't meet anyone's requirements," said Lee. They had poor infection control, did not meet modern health and safety requirements and were open only 60 days a year. About 45 per cent of schools did not have a clinic, so children had to be ferried to check-ups. The new plan would see 18 mobile units travel between all schools. Two mobile units would be fully fitted for treatment. In most cases, children needing fillings would have to be taken to a community dental clinic. Six clinics are planned for Christchurch, including a six-chair clinic in Hillmorton, and three-chair clinics in Casebrook, Burnside, Hornby, Pages Road and Woolston. Another six would be in Kaikoura, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Rolleston, Akaroa and Ashburton. Most would be built on school land but would not be constrained by school hours. It would cost $20 million for the new buildings and mobile units and an extra $1m on operating costs in the first year, rising to $4.5m by 2011.
Canterbury's plan, expected to go to the Health Ministry by the end of February, will be the first to bid for a share of a $100m pot announced by the Government last year for oral health services.
CDHB board member Alister James said Canterbury was entitled to a large share as its need was so great. The district's oral health was "the worst in the country", said chairman Syd Bradley, thanks to a "Luddite" view on fluoridation. Fluoridated water could cut treatment sessions by one-third, potentially saving $2.7m in building costs. But board member Robin Booth said he was "against the idea of mass medication", and putting fluoride in the water was "morally wrong".
The Christchurch City Council has refused to consider fluoridation, while the Ashburton District Council has called a public referendum on the issue to start on February 16.
CDHB project manager Sue Dasler said the biggest risk to the project's success was attracting enough staff.
Otago University dental therapy head Susan Moffat said 2004 changes allowed therapists to work in private practice, reducing numbers opting for the school dental service. Career options would further increase in 2009 when graduates would have a combined dental therapy and dental hygiene qualification.
New facilities and equipment could help to attract therapists to the school service, she said.
By KAMALA HAYMAN - The Press | Monday, 12 February 2007
A $31 million project to tackle soaring rates of tooth decay in Canterbury children has passed its first hurdle. Canterbury youngsters have the worst teeth in the country, with the richest Fendalton children suffering decay rates equal to those from the poorest parts of south Auckland. Martin Lee, clinical director for school and community dental services, said a lack of fluoride in the water was to blame, with poorer households hardest hit. On average, half of Canterbury children will have at least one cavity before their sixth birthday. But in the lowest deciles, the average five-year-old has four rotting teeth.
Lee said cases such as that of a four-year-old girl who needed 16 rotten teeth pulled out were not unusual. In a bid to improve the care of children's teeth, the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has approved a business plan for 12 new community clinics and 20 mobile units to replace 128 school dental clinics.
If approved by a regional capital committee this month, and then the Health Ministry, the four-year building project will begin at the end of next year. Lee said the inequalities were widening, with rates of tooth decay in early childhood doubling in Christchurch between 1996 and 2004. He said the current school dental clinics could not cope. The buildings were "a disgrace" there were severe staff shortages, with the mean age of dental therapists now 53. School dental clinics built in the 1950s and 60s were cramped and outdated and unattractive to new graduates. "The facilities don't meet anyone's requirements," said Lee. They had poor infection control, did not meet modern health and safety requirements and were open only 60 days a year. About 45 per cent of schools did not have a clinic, so children had to be ferried to check-ups. The new plan would see 18 mobile units travel between all schools. Two mobile units would be fully fitted for treatment. In most cases, children needing fillings would have to be taken to a community dental clinic. Six clinics are planned for Christchurch, including a six-chair clinic in Hillmorton, and three-chair clinics in Casebrook, Burnside, Hornby, Pages Road and Woolston. Another six would be in Kaikoura, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Rolleston, Akaroa and Ashburton. Most would be built on school land but would not be constrained by school hours. It would cost $20 million for the new buildings and mobile units and an extra $1m on operating costs in the first year, rising to $4.5m by 2011.
Canterbury's plan, expected to go to the Health Ministry by the end of February, will be the first to bid for a share of a $100m pot announced by the Government last year for oral health services.
CDHB board member Alister James said Canterbury was entitled to a large share as its need was so great. The district's oral health was "the worst in the country", said chairman Syd Bradley, thanks to a "Luddite" view on fluoridation. Fluoridated water could cut treatment sessions by one-third, potentially saving $2.7m in building costs. But board member Robin Booth said he was "against the idea of mass medication", and putting fluoride in the water was "morally wrong".
The Christchurch City Council has refused to consider fluoridation, while the Ashburton District Council has called a public referendum on the issue to start on February 16.
CDHB project manager Sue Dasler said the biggest risk to the project's success was attracting enough staff.
Otago University dental therapy head Susan Moffat said 2004 changes allowed therapists to work in private practice, reducing numbers opting for the school dental service. Career options would further increase in 2009 when graduates would have a combined dental therapy and dental hygiene qualification.
New facilities and equipment could help to attract therapists to the school service, she said.
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