Sugary foods and drinks combined with poor oral hygiene contributed to 4583 fillings being done by school dentists across the district.
Mackay Base Hospital Dental Unit director Dr Ronel Bornman said the mobile dental vans were unfortunately only seeing about 23% of school children who are eligible for the free service.
During Dental Health Week (August 5 to 11), Mackay district parents are being encouraged to ensure they are taking vital steps to care for their children’s teeth and gums, including regular dental checkups.
It was important school children aged 4 to 16 visited the dentist regularly, even if they don’t appear to have any problems with teeth, Dr Bornman said.
“Visiting the dentist regularly every 12 months helps in the prevention, early detection and management of tooth decay,” she said.
“An intact healthy tooth is stronger than a filled one, so it was important to try and avoid fillings due to tooth decay.
“Good oral hygiene is one of the most important factors in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Cleaning teeth twice a day, enjoying a wide variety of nutritious foods and choosing water over sugary drinks can all help to prevent decay and the need for fillings.”
Flossing teeth and fluoride were also important to prevent tooth decay which could have a big impact on nutrition, growth, and development in children, negatively influencing a child’s quality of life.
Taking a child to the dentist regularly and when there are no obvious problems with their teeth, allows them to get to know their dentist, have a positive experience and make future visits more familiar, Dr Bornman said.
The Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) school dental vans are a free service which visit local schools regularly. Children enrolled at school from Prep to Year 10 with a current Medicare card are eligible for treatment.
Appointments for a public oral health service at Mackay HHS can be booked by phoning 07) 4885 6444.
