Time to get teeth into dental health

Anna Wallis PHOTO/FILE

I couldn't agree more with Judith MacDonald about the community's teeth. There's a gaping hole where more initiative is needed.

It's time to move on from the fluoride debate and take a wider approach to dental health. Instead of polling dentists about fluoride, let's talk to them about other ways to improve oral health.

Whanganui District Health Board member Mrs MacDonald's idea of pop-up dental clinics for adults is the kind of thinking which may move this issue along. People are not getting dental care because it's expensive - but it is also about accessibility.

At times there have been mobile clinics and free care offered in a dental blitz. Often this relies on the goodwill of dentists, hygienists, dental therapists and others. And we are a wee way away from the Otago Medical School for students to do a stint in Wanganui for training purposes.

But good teeth are essential for more than a dazzling smile. Nutrition is essential to good health and good working teeth mean better nutrition. It is possible poor gum health may be linked to cardiovascular diseases.

There is also the link between gum disease and premature birth and low birth weight, and tooth loss before age 35 possibly being a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

There are many reasons why dental care is expensive. The cost and length of training, the cost of equipment and products, and associated services like lab work and x-rays.

Perhaps people need to be more aware of how to spread the costs of a dental bill, or we may need improved dental health insurance schemes. Fortunately, technology is playing a part in managing costs with advances such as dental sealant to reduce cavities.

But the essential bit is to get cheaper dental services into communities.

More of New Zealand's health dollar needs to be directed toward teeth.