Southern Mobile Oral Health Clinics Results meet Standards

Media Release

29 May 2014

Southern DHB Mobile Oral Health Clinics Test Results meet Standards

Test results from the Southern District Health Board Mobile Oral Health Clinics have shown they meet workplace and environmental standards.

Southern DHB temporarily removed seven mobile oral health units from service as a precaution following concern about the levels of formaldehyde detected in a Canterbury DHB mobile oral health unit of the same design. An eighth unit remained in service as it is has a different design.

Southern DHB Medical Director; Public Health Physician and Medical Officer of Health Dr Marion Poore said, “The results clearly show that levels of formaldehyde are well below both the workplace exposure standards and the Ambient Air Quality Guidelines set by the Ministry for the Environment.”

Dr Poore said, “The mobile units were taken out of service and tested as a precaution. We’re very pleased with the results which are re-assuring to patients and staff.”

“We rescheduled some appointments for regular check-up and transferred others to alternative dental facilities during the two weeks that the mobiles have been out of service. The units will be back in service next week.”

If parents have any questions about rescheduled appointments please contact the service through Southern DHB Oral Health on 0800 672 543 (Otago) or 0800 570 300 (Southland).

ENDS

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