Scottish schools rollout health checks

Scottish schools rollout health checks
03 December 2007
Schools across Scotland have embarked on a new scheme to provide school-based dental check-ups and treatments in a bid to fight tooth decay.
The scheme, which was originally launched in Fife, will be extended to other areas such as Lothian over the coming months. As part of Childsmile School, dental care workers will visit primary schools promoting oral health, as well as offering preventive treatments.
Public health minister Shona Robinson commented: 'I am delighted to launch Childsmile School in Fife. For the first time specially trained dental nurses will be going into schools and providing clinical care to children.
'Childsmile School will also deliver a range of preventative care interventions for children in primary one and two to reduce the risk of dental decay.'
Children enrolled in the programme will also be offered two-yearly applications of fluoride varnish, a substance that is painted onto the teeth, to better protect them from decay. as the programme develops, they will also be offered other preventative treatments, such as fissure sealants – protective plastic coatings that cap a child's teeth to prevent decay.