Community Challenge
The Health Forum has developed a partnership with Foyle Health & Social Services Trust to address the oral health of children in the greater Bogside, Brandywell & Fountain communities. The Trust has appointed Jennifer O Brien to the position of Oral Health Educator with the Health Forum as a part of the joint initiative aimed at radically improving our children’s oral health.
Statistics show that the Derry City Council area has the lowest level of registrations with dentists in the 0-5 age group and a corresponding high level of decayed, missing and filled teeth. These problems are completely preventable if parents follow the 3 key dental health messages:
- Brush your child’s teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste – after breakfast and before bedtime.
- Visit your dentist regularly.
- Try to avoid sugary foods and drinks, especially between meals.
The Health Forum hopes that the initiative will encourage families in the area to take responsibility for their oral health and become aware of simple lifestyle changes that will benefit their general health as well as their teeth. If we can help prevent the unnecessary discomfort and pain of tooth decay which may lead to extractions, then the initiative will have been a success.
During Year 1 of the five-year project we hope to achieve the following objectives:
- Enhanced awareness of oral health education and practice among primary school children in area of benefit.
- Consolidation and expansion of existing classroom brushing programme.
- Increased adherence among pre-school and nursery staff to positive oral health and nutritional practice.
- Enhanced awareness of oral health among general community.
- Enhanced awareness and relevance of oral health among community based health professionals such as pharmacists, midwives and health visitors.
The Gasyard Centre has become the focus of the Community Challenge for Oral Health since November 2005. A new dental surgery has been opened and this will be central to the project and will be widely used by families in the Bogside and Brandywell. Two other staff members – a Dental Officer and a Dental Therapist – are to be appointed during the summer of 2006. For further information contact Jennifer @ 71 365330.
If you would like more information on any of the Older Peoples Programmes contact Mary at the Health Forum on 71365330.
