Logan prep students brush up on dental care

A tooth brushing program for Preps and Year One students will be rolled out across all Logan primary schools in a bid to reduce dental decay rates in children.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said the push to reduce the high rates of tooth decay in children was part of the Logan Community Health Action Plan, launched in May.

Mr Dick today delivered free tooth brushing kits to Prep children at Woodridge State School and joined in on the oral health education delivered by Metro South Health clinicians.

“Getting our kids into the habit of brushing their teeth regularly is so important to preventing tooth decay – and the classroom is an ideal place to embed these healthy behaviours,” Mr Dick said.

“The rates of dental decay in children in Logan are far too high.”

The existing school tooth brushing program in Logan was recently evaluated and results showed a 19 per cent reduction in dental decay at the schools that were part of the program compared to those that weren’t.

“This program will not only deliver healthier teeth and less cavities now; it will also help reduce the burden of tooth decay down the track such as pain and discomfort, poor self-esteem, lost hours at school and work, and expensive treatment,” Mr Dick said

“The tooth brushing program is one of the strategies in the Community Health Action Plan for Logan which I launched in May this year.”

The Plan was developed following a November 2016 community forum, which sought information and local solutions to issues affecting the health and wellbeing of Logan residents.

“This plan is about delivering real and meaningful improvements in the health of Logan residents so we can achieve better health outcomes for the wider community,” Mr Dick said.

“Whilst many people in Logan enjoy good health, there are some that have poorer health outcomes compared to other Queenslanders.

“Through this plan we will deliver local strategies to target improvements in nutrition, maternity care, immunisation rates, mental health, multicultural and refugee health, and dental care.”

Mr Dick said the plan contributed to achieving the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Health 2026 vision that by 2026 Queenslanders will be among the healthiest people in the world.Families are also encouraged to have regular dental check-ups and treatment as required, which are provided by Metro South Health for free for eligible families.

“Many people avoid the dentist because they are worried about how much it will cost, however people who have Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or Seniors Card are eligible for free public dental care,” Mr Dick said

“All children aged four years until year 10 at school are also eligible for free dental care, even if they do not hold any concession cards.”

The Logan Central Community Health Centre oral health expansion recently opened, providing capacity for an additional 15,000 dental appointments per year has now and children’s appointments for the first time.

“Adults and children can now receive care at the same clinic and even at the same appointment – making it easier and more convenient for the working families of today.

The oral health clinic offers a range of high-quality dental services such as examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions for eligible adults and children.

To check eligibility or to make an appointment, call 1300 300 850 or visit www.metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/oral-health.

ENDS

Media contact: Cath Palmer, 0424 823 424