Dental health Qld: Fluoride varnish for regional areas

For areas of the state that don’t have fluoridated water, Queensland Health is planning to introduce a different measure.

Fluoride varnish can be applied by a dentist or health practitioner.

Queensland Health is planning to introduce fluoride varnish to those living in areas without water fluoridation, as part of the government’s strategy to improve oral health.

The varnish would be added to the teeth by a dentist or health practitioner and it is suitable for adults and children.

It is recommended that it is applied twice a year, but more frequent applications are indicated for children and adults at higher risk of dental caries – permanent damage to teeth.

The new measure comes as the government has launched its first ever Oral Health Services Plan, which aims to increase dental services for eligible Queenslanders.

The state’s hospitals are clogged with 20,000 patients having preventable dental procedures each year

A Queensland Health spokesman said: “Queensland Health supports Queenslanders to establish good oral health habits from early childhood as this sets them up to continue these habits into adulthood.

“Available data shows that half of Queensland children aged between five and 10 years of age have experienced decay in their baby teeth, while around 30 per cent of children aged 6 and 14 years of age have experienced decay in their adult teeth.”

The department reports that dental decay can negatively impact a child’s ability to eat, smile and speak, while early loss of baby teeth can contribute to orthodontic problems later in life.

“That’s why we have released our new statewide Oral Health Services Plan,” the spokesman said.

The plan also focuses on opportunities to develop and deliver oral health promotion, screening and early intervention for children.

Queensland Health public oral health services provide emergency dental care for eligible Queenslanders to address acute and urgent dental problems.

The department employs 660 oral health medics to cater for a population of more than five million, but the department insists that patients see a public health dentist within clinically recommended times.

“Wait times for Queensland’s free public oral health service depends on the clinical urgency of the dental concern, however almost all adults currently on the wait list for a dental check-up are waiting within clinically recommended time frames,” the health spokesman said.

Originally published as Dental health Qld: Fluoride varnish for regional areas