NZ - Health bosses to take action over children's teeth
Health bosses to take action over children's teeth
26.09.2007 By ALISON BROWN
SCHOOL dental services in Rotorua and Taupo are being revamped as health bosses take action on children's rotting teeth. The Lakes District Health Board is planning to overhaul the way dental services are provided to children and teens. Plans are under wraps but options on the table include sending children to "super-clinics" or treating them in high-tech mobile dental caravans. The move follows revelations that all 30 dental clinics across the district are unfit for modern dental practice. Of major concern are health and safety issues around infection control and the security of dental therapists working alone. The clinics are based at schools across the district and are owned by the Ministry of Education. There are 21 clinics in Rotorua, one in Reporoa, six in Taupo and two in Turangi.Twenty-two dental therapists work out of the clinics, employed by the health board, providing oral health care to primary and secondary school children as well as pre-schoolers. Until recently, children were also treated at two mobile dental caravans but one caravan has been taken out of service. Lakes District Health Board chairman Stewart Edward said none of the clinics was "business compliant", with major issues around health and safety. That has been cited as a major reason why the number of dental therapists working in schools is declining nationally."More modern facilities will help with recruitment," Mr Edward said. "If we don't do something about our clinics now, the whole system will implode." Earlier this year, the Government announced it was making $100 million available for health boards wanting to upgrade school dental services in their regions. Funding would be granted after health boards submitted business cases, outlining ways they would revamp their services. Lakes submitted a draft business case to the ministry in June and received feedback last month. The health board is now consulting with school staff, boards of trustees and principals about its plans. Keith Wright, portfolio manager for the board's referred services, said feedback from schools was being taken on board. Further work was needed to evaluate the risks and benefits of all options before plans were finalised. However, it was likely dental facilities would continue to be a mix of on-site clinics and mobile caravans, he said. "Children will continue to have a dental health service and no changes will be made until an alternative is in place to meet their needs."For several years, Lakes has ranked as among the worst areas for children's rotten teeth. In the past 10 years about half of all 5-year-olds in Taupo, where water is fluoridated, have had decay-free teeth. That compares with 39 per cent of 5-year-olds in Rotorua, on average, where water is not fluoridated. The health board and various agencies, including Primary Health Organisation Health Rotorua have campaigned unsuccessfully to persuade the Rotorua District Council to fluoridate the city's water supplies. Health authorities claim fluoridation is the safest and most cost-effective way to reduce tooth decay, regardless of socio-economic status.Lakes District Health Board member Rob Vigor-Brown asked the council to consider holding a binding referendum on fluoridation in tandem with next month's local body elections. However, councillors voted 7-6 against a referendum in June. This week, John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh joined the calls for fluoridation. He said students were reluctant to visit dental clinics and pumping fluoride in the water would improve their dental health without them realising it.
26.09.2007 By ALISON BROWN
SCHOOL dental services in Rotorua and Taupo are being revamped as health bosses take action on children's rotting teeth. The Lakes District Health Board is planning to overhaul the way dental services are provided to children and teens. Plans are under wraps but options on the table include sending children to "super-clinics" or treating them in high-tech mobile dental caravans. The move follows revelations that all 30 dental clinics across the district are unfit for modern dental practice. Of major concern are health and safety issues around infection control and the security of dental therapists working alone. The clinics are based at schools across the district and are owned by the Ministry of Education. There are 21 clinics in Rotorua, one in Reporoa, six in Taupo and two in Turangi.Twenty-two dental therapists work out of the clinics, employed by the health board, providing oral health care to primary and secondary school children as well as pre-schoolers. Until recently, children were also treated at two mobile dental caravans but one caravan has been taken out of service. Lakes District Health Board chairman Stewart Edward said none of the clinics was "business compliant", with major issues around health and safety. That has been cited as a major reason why the number of dental therapists working in schools is declining nationally."More modern facilities will help with recruitment," Mr Edward said. "If we don't do something about our clinics now, the whole system will implode." Earlier this year, the Government announced it was making $100 million available for health boards wanting to upgrade school dental services in their regions. Funding would be granted after health boards submitted business cases, outlining ways they would revamp their services. Lakes submitted a draft business case to the ministry in June and received feedback last month. The health board is now consulting with school staff, boards of trustees and principals about its plans. Keith Wright, portfolio manager for the board's referred services, said feedback from schools was being taken on board. Further work was needed to evaluate the risks and benefits of all options before plans were finalised. However, it was likely dental facilities would continue to be a mix of on-site clinics and mobile caravans, he said. "Children will continue to have a dental health service and no changes will be made until an alternative is in place to meet their needs."For several years, Lakes has ranked as among the worst areas for children's rotten teeth. In the past 10 years about half of all 5-year-olds in Taupo, where water is fluoridated, have had decay-free teeth. That compares with 39 per cent of 5-year-olds in Rotorua, on average, where water is not fluoridated. The health board and various agencies, including Primary Health Organisation Health Rotorua have campaigned unsuccessfully to persuade the Rotorua District Council to fluoridate the city's water supplies. Health authorities claim fluoridation is the safest and most cost-effective way to reduce tooth decay, regardless of socio-economic status.Lakes District Health Board member Rob Vigor-Brown asked the council to consider holding a binding referendum on fluoridation in tandem with next month's local body elections. However, councillors voted 7-6 against a referendum in June. This week, John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh joined the calls for fluoridation. He said students were reluctant to visit dental clinics and pumping fluoride in the water would improve their dental health without them realising it.
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