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Delivering Better Oral Health to Indigenous Children in Rural Australia

Delivering Better Oral Health to Indigenous Children in Rural Australia

Published By HealthcareLink , 3 years ago

Aboriginal children are more likely to acquire tooth decay at three times rates as compared to other Australian children.

Tooth decay can stunt the growth of children because teeth play a huge role in the digestive system. Also, it can affect one's self-esteem. Lastly, tooth decay can eventually lead to more serious chronic diseases such as heart disease.

However, we should acknowledge that tooth decay can be prevented.

This is why it is crucial to take measures to improve the oral health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Research was conducted that prioritises the importance of community intervention to significantly improve oral health in the region.

Oral Health for Aboriginal children

Currently, Aboriginal children have a double rate of tooth decay as compared to the general Australian children population.

There are different factors that can be the reason for this matter. Colonisation and westernised diet are some to name a few.

Aboriginal children have limited access to appropriate and proper dental services as compared to other Australian children. This particular aspect was even heightened by the soaring prices of basic dental supplies.

Measures such as reducing the consumption of sugary drinks and increasing fluoride intake were initiated by the researchers to provide a jump-off point in their pursuit of improving the dental health of the children.

Moreover, the researchers were able to highlight important factors such as oral hygiene behaviors to determine how children can manifest their practices.

This leads to evidence-based results, garnering statistics about the overall condition of the dental health of Aboriginal children. Due to the intervention measures initiated by the researchers, they were able to improve some facets of dental health in the region. Improved cases of oral hygiene and reduced inclinations toward sugary drinks were some of the manifestations.

Community collaboration

Working hand in hand with communities to implement strategies and its sustenance was the main approach by the researchers. Here are some of the outcomes of the research:

·   Coordination of programs and dental treatment services

·   Dental education scholarships for locals

·   Hygiene programs for school children

·   Installation of water fountains

·   Establishment of oral health services for the communities

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