Health Bosses Considering Fluoride Varnish Plans

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Health bosses in Leicestershire are considering plans to provide fluoride varnish treatment up to four times a year for children in the region.

The latest figures show that the average five year old child in Leicester has at least two rotten or missing teeth. Ivan Browne, a consultant in public health for Leicestershire and Rutland Primary Care Trusts, said that this was an average figure and many children have a much large number of decayed or missing teeth. Research has confirmed that fluoride varnish helps to reduce rates of decay by strengthening the teeth and is as effective as drinking fluoridated water.

Current guidelines suggest that children should be given fluoride varnish twice a year, however, if children have severe decay, this could be increased to three or four times per year. Mr Browne said that the Primary Care Trusts will be looking at increasing the number of fluoride varnish treatments for children with extensive decay.

PCT directors are also debating plans to introduce a new marketing campaign to inform people about NHS dental services and discussing the appointment of a specialist public health dental consultant, a plan which has already received the support of the joint health scrutiny committee for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Mr Browne said that the addition of a public health consultant who would specialise in dentistry would give strategies greater focus. He also added that it is important to change people’s perceptions of NHS dental services, as many assume that it will be impossible to register with a dentist and subsequently do not bother trying. The new marketing campaign would advertise local services and inform dental patients how and where they can access dental care.

 

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