17/02/2004

Minister launches oral health initiative for children

Health Minister, Angela Smith has launched a new initiative to improve oral health, by encouraging parents to register their children with dentists.

Speaking at the launch of the 'Promoting Dental Registration Initiative' in St Patrick’s Trian Centre, Armagh, the Minister the new initiative aimed to increase the levels of dental registration in very young children and improve oral health.

Recent surveys show that the general level of oral health in Northern Ireland is considerably worse than the rest of the UK, particularly amongst children.

The Minister said: “Oral health is an integral part of our overall health and wellbeing. Dental decay results in pain and discomfort and can lead to difficulty eating, speaking and socialising.

"It is therefore vitally important that we all work together to promote and implement initiatives to encourage good habits, including proper tooth brushing and regular visits to the dentists, at an early age of development.”

The Minister commended the Southern Area Community Dental Services, who is developing this initiative.

“I believe that this latest initiative is a very important step as it is targeting children at a very early age. I would encourage parents to take this opportunity, which will help to ensure their children develop good oral health early in life," she concluded.

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