Opening wide for Defence Force

BEST OF CARE: Captain Luke Simpson (reservist, Tauranga) and Corporal Stacey Jones (regular, Hawke's Bay) at work at Kaitaia Hospital yesterday.

NZDF dentists bring expertise to Kaitaia

The dental health of more than 300 Far North residents who hold a community service card is in for a boost this week and next, thanks to a New Zealand Defence Force training exercise.

Exercise Wisdom Tooth is designed to increase NZDF service capacity for providing dental treatment and health promotion activities while deployed in the Pacific region. More than 30 NZDF personnel, including several Northlanders (supported by the Northland DHB oral health team), will be based in Kaitaia over the two-week period, using NZDF equipment including five dental chairs and two more chairs provided by the DHB.

"The NZDF works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide regular aid missions in the Western Pacific Region," Major Suzanne Halligan said.

"Health-related services are provided, including dental services, and in recent years there has been an increased emphasis on education, training and prevention. The exercise in Northland will assist the NZDF in training for these overseas missions."

Patients holding valid community service cards had been referred by Work and Income and local GPs for treatment, with the focus on pain relief and treating infections.

"Good dental health is important, and contributes to better general health, raises self-esteem, and is associated with better educational outcomes and improved job prospects," Northland DHB oral health adviser Dr Neil Croucher said.

The exercise also includes a health promotion road show that will call at eight Far North schools (Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Pukemiro, Whangaroa College, Taipa Area School, Broadwood Area School, Abundant Life, Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, Te Hapua and Kaitaia College), with classroom learning about oral health and healthy lifestyles combined with an Army assault course team relay.

And the exchange of an opportunity to train with the provision of dental health treatment and education was welcomed by the DHB as an opportunity to increase awareness of the importance of good dental health, nutrition and physical activity, especially amongst young people.

"We want to increase awareness of how important oral health is, and improve the number of young people who attend the free community oral health service," general manager child, youth, maternal and oral health general manager Jeanette Wedding said.

The DHB planned to establish a low cost dental treatment service in Kaitaia following Exercise Wisdom Tooth.