Oral Health Standards On The Up in Tayside Schools
Recent figures have shown a significant improvement in standards of oral health among Tayside’s children. The 2015 National Dental Inspection Programme revealed a 20 percent increase in the number of children without any signs of decay in just a decade.
In 2005, the report suggested that 60 percent of P7 children showed no signs of decay and this rose to 80 percent in 2015. This is a dramatic increase that reflects the success of the Childsmile programme. The scheme, which is in force across Scotland, is designed to educate children and parents about the importance of good oral health, encourage regular dental visits and teach children how to brush their teeth properly at a very young age. The programme is supported by nurseries and schools all over the country.
The report, which was recently released by NHS Tayside, also confirms a 57 percent reduction in the average number of decayed, filled and lost teeth in P7 children during the last decade.
Dentist John Cairns from Monifieth Dental Clinic said that it is important to highlight the importance of the Childsmile programme and the positive difference it has made to children all over Scotland.
Childsmile was introduced around 8 years ago with the aim of levelling out inequalities between poorer and more affluent areas and educating children about oral hygiene, healthy eating and ways to prevent oral diseases.
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