Community Session for Dental Health Week

Published on 19 July 2016

 Child Oral Health specialist Professor Mark Gussy from the LaTrobe Rural Health School will be in Kerang on Thursday August 4, 2016 as part of Dental Health Week.

Professor Gusy and his team has been working with Gannawarra Shire Council and partners over the past three years as part of a Rural Engaging Communities in Oral Health project.

Professor Gussy said that it is important to continue the conversation with the broader community to empower people to improve their own oral health.

"Most common oral diseases are almost totally preventable," said Professor Gussy. "By brushing teeth twice a day, eating healthy foods, consuming water as the drink of choice and seeking early intervention through regular dental check-ups is proven to prevent tooth decay in its early stages".

"There is also a clear relationship between oral health and general health, with poor oral health causing disability, pain and suffering, eating and speech difficulties and is significantly associated with major chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and mental health issues."

Actions implemented over the past three years include oral health screening at local schools and kindergartens by the Dental Health Services Victoria and the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service, the launch of new dental health service brochures and oral health training for local health professionals.

Colgate is also supporting a Big Smiles for Gannawarra program with toothpaste, toothbrushes and oral health information distributed through Council services.

Council Director Community Wellbeing Mandy Hutchinson said the Rural Engaging Communities in Oral Health Project had raised awareness and assisted local health agencies to work together to to help tackle poor oral health outcomes.

"The local statistics are concerning," said Ms. Hutchinson. "We are trying to turn these statistics around by engaging our communities in conversations around their oral health and providing targeted education on good oral health habits particularly through early childhood services and local primary schools."

The community information session will run from 3pm to 5pm at Northern District Community Health, 24 Fitzroy Street, Kerang. Parents, teachers, early childhood educators, health and welfar