Scheme to varnish Bradford children's teeth with fluoride is 'proving effective

by Kathie Griffiths, T&A Reporter

UPTAKE on a scheme to varnish thousands of primary school and nursery pupils' teeth with fluoride has been positive, says the district care trust behind the decay-busting initiative.

All primary schools across Bradford and Airedale have been invited to sign up for the varnishing sessions carried out by NHS dental nurses and so far about 300 of them including other childcare settings have enrolled, according to Swarngit Shahid, clinical director at the Bradford District Care Trust, which provides the service.

Bradford and Airedale District has the poorest oral health in the region, with just over 46 per cent of five-year-old children having tooth decay, compared with 33.6 per cent across Yorkshire and Humber region.

“Research shows that Fluoride Varnish is highly effective at reducing dental disease if applied twice a year directly onto the tooth surface, in addition to regular tooth brushing. There has been a positive up take from schools, nurseries and other childcare settings," he said.

The varnishing project, commissioned by Public Health Bradford, is in its fourth year now and is just one programme which is part of a package of oral health improvements called Building Brighter Smiles. There is evidence that fluoride varnish can reduce tooth decay in first teeth by 33 per cent and all children between the ages of two and four are eligible to have it done......................

Children to swallow poison to stop the affects of sugar - better to cut out sugar.