Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
New dental clinic opened at Morrinsville Primary School
New dental clinic opened at Morrinsville Primary School
Hundreds of Morrinsville children will get an improved oral health outcome after the opening of a new school-based dental service today at Morrinsville Primary School.
The Morrinsville Community Dental Clinic, accessed through the Moorhouse St entrance at Morrinsville School, will be ready to assess and treat children from this month.
Blessing of the new clinic took place at 10:30am and this is the last of the six new purpose built clinics in the Waikato region.
The clinic will be staffed during school term time plus some school holidays with two dental therapists and two dental assistants to provide treatment for approximately 2000 children from 13 local schools as well as preschoolers. They will also be supported by a newly appointed community dentist and a kaitiaki to assist with a community focus to improving oral health.
Schools served by the dental clinic include David Street, Elstow/Waihou, Kereone, Kiwitahi, Morrinsville Intermediate, Motumaoho, Springdale, St Joseph’s Morrinsville, Tahuna, Tatuanui, Tauhei, Waitoa and Morrinsville Primary
The Morrinsville Community Oral Health Clinic will be complemented by an assessment mobile dental clinic providing on site assessment and preventive care at some of the surrounding schools. The dental team are encouraging parents to attend appointments with their children so they can have a look through the new clinic and have a chat about easy ways to improve dental health. Preschoolers of any age are a priority says Community Oral Health Service manager, Diane Pevreal, as preventing decay is simple and effective and we can help by both strengthening teeth and establishing a simple home care regime.
Mrs Pevreal says that new facilities bring an improved service, with new state of the art equipment for providing first-rate preventive care and treatment.
“Our focus is on preventive care that includes early diagnosis, fissure sealants and strengthening treatments, but we still are effective and have new treatments for active decay.
We’re available now if any parents have concerns – our phone number is 0800 TALK TEETH, or 07 859 9160.
The DHB announced in 2009 a major overhaul to its School Dental Service, at a cost of $9.7million, after it found that 77 of the 78 school-owned dental clinics staffed by Waikato DHB needed replacing or refurbishment to comply with new legislation.
The six clinics are at:
• Cambridge Middle School
• Morrinsville
Primary School
• Peachgrove Intermediate
• Firth
Primary School, Matamata
• Frankton Primary
School
• Fairfield Intermediate
The DHB will retain a lease agreement with Crawshaw School (Hamilton) to continue using its existing dental clinic, and refurbished space in Tokoroa Hospital will be an eighth clinic.
The mobile fleet increased from six to 15 vehicles servicing 129 mobile sites throughout the region. The vehicles were built in Hamilton by Motek, a subsidiary of CI Munro.
Most schools that do not have a new clinic will receive a mobile service and in some cases, students will need to travel. For further information www.waikatodhb.health.nz/oralhealth
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
Whanganui Regional Museum: Historic Wedding Dress Unveiled, A Piece Of Marton’s Heritage
Donovan Ryan: Local Runner Takes Out Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon
University of Auckland: Tributes Flow For Much Loved Pacific Leader Melegalenu’u Ah Sam
NZEI: Ministry Of Education Cuts Will Disproportionately Affect Pasifika
Day One Hapai te Haeata: Call To Action For Young Filmmakers Against The Backdrop Of Funding Cuts
Toyota New Zealand: Three Races For Top Three To Decide TR86 Title