Smiles 4 Miles campaign aims to end tooth decay in children across Bendigo
Bendigo Community Health Services is using a Smiles 4 Miles initiative to battle alarming rates of tooth decay in children from ‘high risk’ areas across the City of Greater Bendigo.
The Dental Health Services Victoria funded program was developed to tackle poor oral health in the state.
BCHS Smiles 4 Miles co-ordinator Leah Wastell said three simple messages were used to educate children on oral health and tooth decay – drink well, eat well, clean well.
“We promote drinking tap water and limiting sugary drinks, eating nutritious food and limiting added sugars and brushing teeth twice a day,” Leah said.
“Smiles 4 Miles also raises awareness that it’s important children visit a health professional by the age of two for an oral health check.”
Leah wants parents and carers to understand good oral health was essential for the overall health and wellbeing of children.
“Oral diseases like tooth decay can cause a lot of pain and discomfort which impacts heavily on a child’s quality of life," Leah said.
“Research shows around 50 per cent of six-year old children in Australia experience tooth decay. The message we need to get out is that with the right care we can stop this happening.”
