STAFF and pupils from schools in the Triax area (Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan, Fountain and Bishop St) have joined the Community Dental Team from the Western Trust to celebrate 10 years of the Community Oral Health Challenge.
This preventive programme based in the Gasyard in Londonderry aims to improve the oral health of children in the area and approximately 380 children each year, from Primary 1 to Primary 3, benefit from the programme.
The schools involved include Nazareth House PS, Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, Long Tower PS, Fountain PS and St Eugene’s PS.
This project was set up in 2006 in conjunction with the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum who continue to provide ongoing support for the project.
The children are screened in the school and pupils are offered a friendly introduction to visiting the dental surgery in the Gasyard. Maureen Coyle (Hygienist/Community Dental Nurse) and Jennifer O Brien (Oral Health Coordinator) see the children and introduce them to dental visits in a friendly and enjoyable way.
This helps to build the children’s confidence and ensures they are happy when visiting their family dentist. Maureen gives the children an introductory polish and where suitable applies protective coatings (fissure sealants) on erupting adult teeth.
The children receive dental packs and parents are given advice on diet, tooth brushing and regular attendance at the family dentist.
The schools support this activity by encouraging children to attend the preventive clinic with text reminders. Many schools carry out daily tooth brushing in the class room to encourage good habits at home.
A recent Child Dental Health Survey carried out in Northern Ireland highlighted improvements in Children’s Oral Health with the proportion of 5 year old children affected by decay dropping from 61% in 2003 to 40% in 2013.
This programme is helping to reduce decay levels in this area. However many young children continue to suffer as a result of dental decay so we need to continue with this preventive programme.
Jennifer O’Brien, Western Trust Oral Health Coordinator said: “I am delighted to be involved in this programme. Over the years we have been working with parents, children and schools to improve the oral health of the children.
“We have noticed good improvements in the numbers of children registered with their family dentist and would remind parents of the three important dental health messages:
- Reduce sugary snacks/ drinks between meals
- Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste
- Visit your dentist regularly.”
For more information contact: Jennifer O Brien, Oral Health Coordinator Telephone: 028 7137 8505.
