New Software System to Highlight Children Missing Out on Dental Care Rolled Out in Taranaki
A new software system, flagged up that more than 6,000 children were missing out on dental care in Waikato, has been rolled out in other parts of New Zealand, including Taranaki.
The system, which tracks major health milestones that should be reached by children before they celebrate their 6th birthday, has already been in use in Waikato for over a year. Known as the Child Health Information Platform, the software gathers relevant information from health authorities and organisations and collates it to confirm children have had the relevant tests and highlight those who are missing out.
Chad Parone, executive lead for the software system, said that many children may have been slipping through the net in terms of their health and the assessments they should have been receiving. With this software, it is now possible to see if a child is missing out very quickly and easily and the situation can then be rectified.
In addition to monitoring dental health, the system will also identify children who have not had the relevant immunisations, heating checks and eye examinations.
Since 2014, the system has identified more than 6,000 children who have not had recommended oral health assessments and it is hoped that the introduction of the innovative software in Taranaki will have a similarly positive impact.
Join this Discussion