Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2410/-1/135/
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Survey Shows Need To Stregthen Dental Services
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An oral health survey conducted in Anguilla shows that there is a need to strengthen the island’s dental services by implementing a stronger prevention programme particularly for children.
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Health Authority personnel and others at Dental Survey meeting
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It is not that the Health Authority and the Dental Department are not aware of this. In the words of the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Dexter James, “a lot of the work being attempted by the health services, must be based on evidence” and not “on a hit and miss ad hoc arrangement” hence the need for the dental survey.
The Senior Dental Surgeon, Dr. Cullen Mussington, explained that there was a need to re-focus her department’s efforts towards preventive measures so that it could utilise its resources better. The survey was undertaken from January 31 to February 3 and involved children in the ages of 6, 12 and 15 years. According to Dr. Mussington, it was to investigate the prevalence of dental caries, fluorosis and oral hygiene among the children.
The study was carried out by world-renowned Dental Epidemiologist and WHO Oral Health Collaborator, Dr. Ramon Baez, supported by the Senior Dental Surgeon in Grenada, Dr. Crofton Stroud. The report, with recommendations, was presented by Dr. Beaz on Tuesday this week at a meeting of health officials and the media at the National Bank of Anguilla’s Conference Room.
Dr. Beaz, who is also a Professor at the School of Dentistry at the University of Texas in San Antonio, presented various tables showing the results of the survey and gave detailed explanations. “When we looked at the data at the Dental Department, we found that the services are being provided, but unfortunately it looks like they need to be strengthened,” he reported. “The curative services are being provided to the child population but in ways that are insufficient.”
He quickly pointed out however that this did not mean that the Dental Department was not doing a good job but rather that the oral health needs of the island were greater than the available resources.
He indicated that one third of the children surveyed needed restoration of teeth; very few needed root canal therapy; but there were a number of caries and cases of plaque (a film of saliva, bacteria and food residues built up on the surface of the teeth which can cause gum disease).
He stated the plaque could be reversed by school and household campaigns to get children to brush their teeth properly thus keeping them clean. He noted however that there were cases where the problem could not be self-reversed. It therefore required the dentist, dental therapist and the dental hygienist to bring the condition of the children’s teeth to normal.
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L-R: Mr. Dexter James, Dr. Mussington and Dr. Baez
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In his recommendations, Dr. Beaz stressed the need for a strong oral health prevention programme with fluoridation being at the heart of the measures as implemented in Jamaica where he once gave a consultation.
He suggested that Anguilla could explore avenues to provide that all salt imported should be fluoridated, noting that this treated product is available in various parts of the world. He thought that as a short-term measure fluoride garnishes for children’s teeth could be provided. He noted that such treatment was more expensive than salt and water fluoridation, but pointed out that it was a way of protection for children.
Dr. Beaz said there was a need to strengthen community dental health education to emphasise the importance of health prevention, including risk factors, that compromise the intimate relationship between oral and general health.
He recommended that adequate nutrition habits should be explored to emphasise their importance and relationship to oral and general health. He strongly recommended that regulations should be enacted and implemented to reduce sugar sources available to children in school settings, noting the harmful effects of sugar on the teeth of the youngsters.
Dr. Beaz added that there was a need for further opportunities for dental surgeons and dental therapists to participate in continuing dental education courses abroad. Alternatively, he advised that speakers with various expertise and knowledge about current issues of oral health and treatment, in line with the needs of Anguilla, could be brought in to deliver lectures to the dental personnel.