Southern DHB Celebrating World Oral Health Day

Thursday 17 March 2016

Southern DHB Celebrating World Oral Health Day

How well do you look after your oral health? This weekend, on Sunday 20th of March 2016, Southern DHB is celebrating World Oral Health Day (WOHD) with activities, competitions, interactive activity stations and expert talks.

This year’s WOHD theme is “It all starts here. Healthy mouth. Healthy Body”.

WOHD is an international day to celebrate the benefits of a healthy mouth and to promote the importance of good oral health, for all, for life. Around 90% of the world’s population will suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime and many of them can be avoided.

So everyone can get involved in World Oral Health Day (WOHD), the World Dental Federation has produced a smartphone game. It’s called ‘Mad Mouths’, you should check it out! You can download it via the Apple Store click here and/or Google Play click here, or just simply search ‘Mad Mouths’.

This exciting new game brings oral health to life in an interactive way and your kids will love it. It challenges you and your family to think about your teeth and own oral health, with some simple steps anyone can do to improve it.

Do you want to get involved in some activities local to you?

If you are in Southland;

· Check out some of our displays around Southland Hospital.

· There is a poster competition open to all Early Childhood Facilities and Primary Schools, the students’ make a poster about oral health and these will be displayed in Dental Clinics around Southland. The winning poster will be awarded a prize by Dr Rabbit (a member of the team in a life sized rabbit costume!).

· Also at Southland Hospital, all children who visit the Children’s Ward during the month of March will receive a toothy parcel, which includes; an enrolment form for the Community Oral Health Service, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Similarly in the Maternity Ward, all new Mums leaving the ward will receive the parcel to encourage early enrolment of their babies.

If you are in Dunedin;

· Go along to the Otago Museum Atrium, between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 20th of March, and get involved for free. There will be interactive activity stations including;

- applying fissure sealants – learn how they help protect teeth;
- mirror writing – the challenges of using ‘dental mirrors’;
- dental examinations – have a go at identifying cavities;
- pH testing – learn why acid can be damaging for teeth;
- animal teeth – identify and make impressions of different animal teeth;
- bacterial frenemies – check out your own mouth bugs and; a
- craft station for younger children.
· While you are there between 10am and 4pm, you can also attend the jaw-dropping science show and expert talks at the Barclay Centre for free. These are being supported by the Otago Museum, the Otago University School of Dentistry and Southern DHB Community Oral Health Service.

If you can’t make those, don’t forget some important Tips for a Healthy Smile!

Brush twice daily with a regular-strength fluoride toothpaste (just a smear for children under 6, pea-sized amount for anyone older).
Spit don’t rinse - after brushing.
Have regular dental check-ups.
Choose healthy, tooth-friendly snacks e.g. cheese, yoghurt, fruit, vegetables, eggs, sandwiches without sweet fillings, plain popcorn, lean meats.
Drink milk and water (fluoridated water is best).

ENDS

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