Oral Health

The Community Dental Service (formerly the School Dental Service) has recently under gone a facilities reorganisation. With the exception of Geraldine Primary all school dental clinics throughout the region will be closed.

 So what does this mean?

• Every school child in the South Canterbury region will have their annual dental check in a mobile dental examination van which will visit every school. As well as a check, X rays, fissure sealants, scaling and fluoride treatments will be done if necessary at this visit.
•  If children in the Timaru area require further treatment they will then go, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, to the new Timaru Community Dental Clinic at Level 1, 18 Woollcombe St, Timaru. All Timaru preschoolers will be seen at this clinic also. As before, parents will be contacted when their preschooler is due for a dental check.
•  For school children and preschoolers in rural areas such as Waimate, Pleasant Point, Temuka, Fairlie and Twizel another type of mobile dental clinic will visit these areas to provide dental treatment for the school children who require it and the dental checks and treatment for preschoolers. All schools will be advised by a dental therapist when the mobiles will be visiting their school.

The exception to all of this is Geraldine Primary which retains its very recently built dental clinic.

 This change in service provision aims to improve access to the delivery of dental care and services and to provide modern, efficient facilities for both patients and staff. A key focus will be on the prevention of dental disease and the reduction of inequalities.

•  Adolescents (from year 9) will continue to be entitled to free dental care with a private dentist until their 18^th birthday. To find out more about this free service including the names of contracting dentists they can phone toll free 0800 ITS FREE(0800 4873733).

BRONWYN BEAVON JOB ROLE:   To support Early Childhood Education Services and Primary Schools to promote oral health.
BACKGROUND:  New Zealand Registered Dietitian I love food - I enjoy reading about it, cooking it, but most importantly sitting and sharing it with others
FAVOURITES:  Physical Activity: Walking my 2 dogs - Rodger and Ruby, gardening my ever weedy garden..... Food: Spag bol, stuffed baked kumaras, local salmon and falafel kebabs Drink: Water - it's best and it's free!                    Saying: "No worries"
BEST THING ABOUT THIS JOB: No one day is the same! This role allows me to be creative and think outside the square.
LOOKING FORWARD TO:  Supporting Early Childhood Education Services and Primary Schools with their initiatives to promote oral health.
CONTACT DETAILS: Phone:  03 687 2621 DD Email:   bronwyn.beavon@cdhb.govt.nz

 

For more information feel free to contact:

Frances Milne 0272127206

Phone 0800 TALKTEETH or visit www.talkteeth.co.nz