April brings a fresh wave of enthusiasm to our College as we join hands with the Australian Dental Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the nation's oral health, one tooth at a time.
In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to overlook the fundamentals of self-care amidst the hustle and bustle. Shockingly, even in a first-world country like ours, significant gaps exist in oral health awareness and access to dental care. Consider these eye-opening statistics:
- 1 in 10 children between the ages of 5-14 have never visited a dentist.
- In South Australia alone, an estimated 14,500 school days are forfeited annually due to dental issues.
- Children with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school.
These numbers underscore the critical need to prioritise oral health as a cornerstone of overall well-being. Alarmingly, two in five children suffer from tooth decay in their primary teeth, with one in four grappling with decay in their permanent teeth. Tooth decay not only inflicts physical discomfort but also triggers emotional distress and social embarrassment.
The silver lining? Many facets of oral diseases, including dental caries leading to decay, are preventable and manageable through routine dental check-ups, timely treatment and education on oral hygiene practices.
We are proud to welcome the Australian Dental Foundation to our College over the coming weeks. With the guidance of seasoned dental experts, we are empowered to instil in our children, from a tender age, the significance of oral health care. By nurturing robust, independent and healthy individuals today, we sow the seeds for a promising future, envisaging a ripple effect of wellbeing for generations to come.
As parents and guardians, we play a pivotal role in safeguarding our children's oral health. Let's seize this opportunity to take action! Mark your calendars for October when the Australian Dental Foundation will return to our College.
If you do not have a dentist or have regular dental checkups, make a commitment today to schedule a dental check-up for your child, ensuring they embark on a journey towards brighter smiles and a lifetime of oral wellness. Together, let's pave the way for healthier futures, one dental appointment at a time!