New Zealand government stepping up campaign for good oral health
The New Zealand government has invested a significant amount of money in oral health and the effects are starting to show.
In recent years, the government has stepped up the campaign to boost oral health amongst children and figures show that their efforts are starting to pay off. Health Minister Tony Ryall has confirmed an increase in the number of front-line dental staff and the number of children waiting for routine check-ups has decreased significantly.
District Health Boards have been on a recruitment drive for dental staff recently and the number of front line staff increased by 8 percent between 2008 and 2009; many health boards are still recruiting so the numbers are set to increase further. The increase in the number of staff has had a direct impact on regional services and more people are receiving the care they need.
Health officials are targeting children as a means of improving overall standards of oral health in the future. Providing preventative treatments and ensuring children attend regular check-ups will help to improve children’s oral health and eliminate the need for costly, complex procedures to treat advanced conditions in the future. The government is proud of the recent figures and will continue to invest in oral healthcare to ensure standards continue to improve in the future.
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