Smile! Give Your Face A Lift For Smile Week 2004

Smile! Give Your Face A Lift For Smile Week 2004

Over one half of New Zealand five-year-old children living in poorer communities have dental decay, says New Zealand Dental Association executive director David Crum.

“Last year the Minister of Health, Hon. Annette King, released a report titled Improving Child Oral Health and Reducing Child Oral Health Inequalities,” he says.

“It showed 65 per cent of children (five-year-olds) in poorer communities such as Northland had dental decay.
“In Waitamata 50 per cent of eight-year olds had dental decay, while in Wellington 58 per cent had dental decay.”

He says Smile Week is about highlighting the need for community responsiblity and individual responsibility.

“Community responsibility includes fluoridating the water, which can decrease decay by up to 50 per cent.

The individual can also take responsiblity for their smile, he says.

“Kids, brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, eliminate soft drinks from your diet and replace with tap water, and see your dentist or school dental therapist regularly.”

Many dentists around the country have initiated dental projects in schools and the community this week to highlight Smile Week.

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