Dental Campaign Helps To Reduce Rates Of Decay In Runcorn
A dental initiative introduced by health chiefs in the North West has helped to reduce rates of tooth decay among children in Runcorn and Widnes.
After many years of lagging behind other parts of the North West, NHS Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust, which no longer exists, decided to intervene and introduce new measures to try and improve standards of oral health among young children in the area. At the time, in 2006, five years old living in the borough had an average of 2.1 decayed teeth, but this figure fell to 1.09 in 2012. In 2006, 38 per cent of children had tooth decay in England, but the figure was more than 50 per cent in Halton, highlighting an obvious need for help.
Health bosses introduced a scheme to provide children aged between 3 and 11 years old with toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste. Children were given a new toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste every year from 2006 until 2010.
The results were very positive in Birchfield, Widnes and Beechwood, Runcorn, with rates of decay halved during the period between 2006 and 2012; however, there were less positive results in other areas. In Ditton, Widnes, the rate of decay actually increased.
A report prepared for Halton Council revealed that there have been significant improvements in children’s oral health in Halton since 2006, with the proportion of children suffering from decay falling from over 50 per cent to 33.6 per cent. Since the measures were introduced, oral health standards in Halton have improved at a faster rate than national standards.
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