Bradford children feel the benefit
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- Published: Tuesday, 31 March 2015 19:26
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A scheme to varnish thousands of primary school and nursery pupils' teeth with fluoride has been positive, according to Bradford District Care Trust which provides the service. All primary schools across Bradford and Airedale have been invited to sign up for the varnishing sessions carried out by dental nurses and so far about 300 of them have enrolled.
Bradford and Airedale District has the poorest oral health in the region, with just over 46 per cent of five-year-old children having tooth decay, compared with 33.6 per cent across Yorkshire and Humber region. according to Swarngit Shahid, clinical director at the Bradford District Care Trust. “Research shows that Fluoride Varnish is highly effective at reducing dental disease if applied twice a year directly onto the tooth surface, in addition to regular tooth brushing. There has been a positive up take from schools, nurseries and other childcare settings," he said.
The varnishing project, commissioned by Public Health Bradford, is in its fourth year now and is just one programme which is part of a package of oral health improvements called Building Brighter Smiles. There is evidence that fluoride varnish can reduce tooth decay in first teeth by 33 per cent and all children between the ages of two and four are eligible to have it done.
Dr Shirley Brierley, consultant in public health for Bradford Council said: "Around 7,500 young children are recruited to the fluoride varnish programme every year and around 18,000 applications of fluoride varnish occur with children aged 2 to 4 years every year across the district. Bradford Council is responsible for oral health improvement and has invested in a number of evidence-based programmes under the banner of Building Brighter Smiles to reach young children in a variety of settings in their early years. The fluoride varnish programme is aimed at providing effective intervention in all children aged 2 and 4 year olds and targets those at risk from possible tooth decay. It is available through children’s centres and school nurseries."
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