November 01, 2018
Community effort boosts oral health
Health Minister David Clark says the sustained investment in children’s oral health begun under the last Labour Government is paying off, but Māori and Pasifika children still lag behind.
It’s Oral Health Day today and Dr Clark says since former Health Minister and dental nurse Annette King initiated a major overhaul of the Community Oral Health Service the proportion of children free of tooth decay at age five has increased from 51 percent to 60 percent.
For those aged 12 to 13 the improvement is even better, going from 47 percent to 65 percent.
The improvement among Māori and Pasifika children, while good, did not match the gains among other children.
This year for Oral Health Day, the Dental Association are asking New Zealanders to give up sugary drinks and consume only water during November.
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