A new report highlights the concerning trend of poor oral health among five-year-olds on the Isle of Man, where over a quarter experience tooth decay, missing teeth, or fillings. This rate surpasses that of children in the UK, prompting the government to implement initiatives like supervised tooth brushing and fluoride varnish applications to address the issue.
A recent report revealed that over a quarter of five-year-olds on the Isle of Man are experiencing poor oral health . The report, analyzing oral health data from Reception and Year 1 children, found that 26.6% of five-year-olds had decayed, missing, or filled teeth. This figure is approximately 3% higher than the 23.7% recorded for children in the UK. The Isle of Man also exhibited a significantly higher level of incisor decay compared to other areas of England.
Public health officials are expressing concern over the stagnant oral health of Manx youngsters, emphasizing the urgent need for further intervention to prevent a decline in oral health.The government has implemented the Smile of Mann programme, aimed at improving children's oral health. This initiative includes supervised tooth brushing in early education settings, which has been expanded to encompass primary schools and specialist provision centers. Furthermore, plans are underway to enhance the programme by offering fluoride varnish applications to all primary school children. Officials cite a successful program in Scotland that achieved a 62% reduction in fillings, suggesting that similar strategies could be effective on the Isle of Man. They estimate that this expanded preventative program could prevent approximately 130 children from developing tooth decay annually, alleviating the strain on families and health services.Additionally, it would potentially reduce the number of children requiring general anesthesia for tooth extraction. Ross Keat, from Public Health, highlighted the significance of the Smile of Mann program's expansion and the ongoing exploration of additional strategies to bolster oral health. He emphasized that a proactive preventative program will significantly decrease the reliance on dental treatment for children. He further outlined the detrimental consequences associated with dental issues, including diminished self-confidence, infections, disrupted sleep and eating patterns, and school absenteeism.
ORAL HEALTH CHILDREN TOOTH DECAY ISLE OF MAN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
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