Dental Decay Rates Fall in Milton Keynes

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The proportion of children suffering from dental decay has fallen in Milton Keynes.

Recent figures show that 21.5 percent of 5 year olds in the area suffer from signs of cavities, compared to 25 percent in 2012.

The improvement may, in part, be due to measures and programmes introduced by the Central and North West London Oral Health Improvement Team. Over the last few years, the team has run a series of initiatives to try and improve standards of oral health in the region and get children thinking about their teeth and gums.

Notably, the team’s Smile Award and Healthy Early Years Award programmes have made a difference to local children. Both aim to encourage and recognise support in early years settings. From supervised brushing to sessions on tooth-friendly diets, children are hopefully more knowledgeable than they used to be and they have the relevant information to make healthier lifestyle choices. The team has been working with schools, nurseries and local NHS dentists to encourage good habits at an early age.

Improvement Manager Luci Daleki said that the programmes have definitely had a positive impact on local families. More people are making the effort to drink more water and swap sweet treats for fruit, for example. Parents are also taking steps to provide smaller, more suitable portions and healthier options for packed lunches.

The oral health team will continue to engage with other health and education providers to continue improvement in the area.

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