Breaking down barriers

That’s according to Fiona Sandom, president of the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT), who was speaking in response to a call for a national oral health programme by dentist and Conservative MP, Sir Paul Beresford.

The MP for Mole Valley led an adjournment debate in Parliament last week in which MPs debated child dental health.

During the debate, he claimed a targeted national oral health programme – rather than a sugar tax – was needed to tackle the rate of children’s tooth decay, which is especially alarming in deprived areas.

He said a fluoride varnish scheme, involving an interdisciplinary approach to child health, should also form part of this programme – a move supported by dental therapists.

Drawing on current statistics that revealed dental decay to be the number one reason for children aged five to nine being admitted to hospital in the UK, Sir Paul said that: “all healthcare professionals, such as midwives, health visitors and pharmacists, should be given the opportunity and training to apply oral health education, including in relation to persuasion on fluoride.”