Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Smile! Give Your Face A Lift For Smile Week 2004
Smile! Give Your Face A Lift For Smile Week 2004
Over one half of New Zealand five-year-old children living in poorer communities have dental decay, says New Zealand Dental Association executive director David Crum.
“Last year the Minister of Health, Hon. Annette King, released a report titled Improving Child Oral Health and Reducing Child Oral Health Inequalities,” he says.
“It showed 65 per cent of
children (five-year-olds) in poorer communities such as
Northland had dental decay.
“In Waitamata 50 per cent of
eight-year olds had dental decay, while in Wellington 58 per
cent had dental decay.”
He says Smile Week is about highlighting the need for community responsiblity and individual responsibility.
“Community responsibility includes fluoridating the water, which can decrease decay by up to 50 per cent.
The individual can also take responsiblity for their smile, he says.
“Kids, brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, eliminate soft drinks from your diet and replace with tap water, and see your dentist or school dental therapist regularly.”
Many
dentists around the country have initiated dental projects
in schools and the community this week to highlight Smile
Week.
Auckland University of Technology: Reading Helps Children Face A Difficult Future
PATHA: Puberty Blocker Evidence Brief Affirms Aotearoa’s Approach
Tataki Auckland Unlimited: Into Ocean & Ice - Unveiling Antarctica's Past And Present
Health Coalition Aotearoa: Urgent Action Needed To Address Aotearoa’s Shameful Household Food Insecurity
GPNZ: 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey - One Quarter Of Kiwi Adults Unable To Access General Practice
University of Auckland: Screentime Rules Reduce Childhood Obesity Risk