November 16, 2020
DHB tackles school teeth problem
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board is working with schools and dental practices to tackle high levels of dental pain in the region.
Murupara Area School principal Angela Sharples says it was identified as a significant barrier to learning for students, either from time off school or from children struggling to concentrate in class.
In 2017, just four out of more than 100 year 9 to 13 students at the school were taken to see a dentist this year, working with the DHB and Absolute Dental, almost all students had their teeth checked.
The DHB has also been deploying mobile dental units at schools for extended periods, or taking students from remote areas through to Whakatāne for treatment.
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