School Dental Services
Are you under 18 years old? Then your dental treatment is free, whether you are
still at school or not!
Up to year 8, you can be seen at a school dental clinic.
The Wairarapa DHB Oral Health Service sees children from
birth to the end of year 8.
Pre-school and home schooled children can choose the clinic closest to their
home or the clinic of the school they will attend in the future.
Once you have finished year 8 you are still entitled to free dental care till
you are 18 years old, with one of the dentists on the adolescent dental scheme.
All of our dentists in the Wairarapa belong to this scheme. 93% of year 8s
transfer over to the adolescent scheme, and this is the highest percentage in
New Zealand.
The adolescent dental health co-ordinator will help with enrolments with a local
dentist for College-age young people. You can go directly to the dentist of
your choice or you can ring Linda Douglas on (06) 370 5020.
Where are the Mobile Clinics?
The timing of the Mobile visits to schools must be
considered indicative only.
Factors that can change the length of visit to
location include:
-
if more children have more cavities in one
particular school / site.
-
a school has a trip or sporting function while
the Mobile is there there
-
a school or medical centre needs to make a
change of plan.
Mobile 1 is located at Douglas Park for term 3,
2011 and is acting as the Hub.
Mobile 2
Tinui for 1st two weeks term 2
St Mary's from 15th August till 9th
September
Featherston Medical Centre from 12th Sept
-
subject to Mobile Surgical Bus timetable.
Featherston School from 12th to 21st
October
South Featherston from 24th Oct till 3rd
Nov
Carterton school from 3rd Nov till end
of the academic year.
What do you put into your mouth?
Sugar is really bad for your teeth, so be aware of food and drinks that have a lot of sugar. Of course we can't be totally sugar-free, but check out the table below and estimate how much sugar is in some common drinks.
Drinks:
| Teaspoons of sugar |
| 600ml bottle soft drink |
16-20 |
| 600ml sports drink |
10 |
| 400ml juice (NO added sugar!) |
10 |
| 250ml energy drinks |
7 |
| 200ml of a powdered drink |
6 |
| 250ml flavoured milk |
6 |
So—What is best?
Well it's best to drink plain water and milk. If you're drinking juices, water them down (1/2 glass water to 1/2 glass of juice).
Brushing your teeth
You should brush your teeth twice a day. Once in the morning after breakfast, and once at night before you go to bed.
If you haven't brushed for a long time your gums may bleed, just be careful. If this happens every time you brush, call your dentist so he/she can check out what's happening.
Toothbrushes
You should replace your toothbrush every three months. Worn out or shaggy toothbrushes are not effective at cleaning your teeth and gums
Toothpaste
It is really important that you brush with a toothpaste that has fluoride in it as fluoride helps to protect your teeth.
Tip
Once you've brushed, don't rinse your mouth out—just spit. If you rinse, the fluoride will be washed away.
Flossing
It's a good idea to floss regularly. Flossing helps to remove plaque that builds up between your teeth (in the gaps) and under the gum line that can't be removed by a toothbrush.
Dental Jobs
Dental Therapists
A dental therapist performs routine dental care for pre-school, primary and intermediate children via the School Dental Clinic.
Dental therapists work in community schools, iwi-based clinics and in hospital dental clinics. They are responsible for the organisation, treatment planning, and treatment of their own patient groups.
A legislative change in the New Zealand Dental Act 1988 has extended the scope of dental therapists, to include treatment to all age groups. There is a growing demand for dental therapists to work in other settings, in particular iwi-based clinics.
Dental hygiene is a three year degree. For more information contact Otago University.
Telephone 0800 808 098
Email: university@otago.ac.nz
Website: http://www.otago.ac.nz/dentistry
Or
Auckland University of Technology
Telephone 09 917 9735
Website: http://www.aut.ac.nz—Select Oral Health from "Health"
Dentist
For specific information about becoming a dentist please click on this link to Otago University School of Dentistry.
http:// healthsci.otago.ac.nz/Division/dental/home.html
Dental Technicians
A dental technician has the exciting job of making artificial (fake) parts for the head and neck.
Dental technicians make:
- dentures (fake teeth), part dentures, crown and bridges that help to support the teeth
- orthodontic appliances; these are things like mouth guards and retainers.
- maxillofacial appliances, such as fake eyes, ears and noses that are sometimes needed after surgery.
Dental technology is taught at the University of Otago. For more information contact Otago University
Telephone 0800 808 098
Email: university@otago.ac.nz
Website: http://www.otago.ac.nz/dentistry
Dental Hygienist
A dental hygienist is a professional part of the dental team who contributes to the oral health team.
Hygienists are experts who remove hard and soft deposits that damage the teeth and gums. Hygienists also educate patients about the health of their mouths and provide options for improving and maintaining dental hygiene. They also detect and treat oral disease and prepare the mouth for complex restorative care.
Dental hygiene is a three year degree. For more information contact Otago University.
Telephone 0800 808 098
Email: university@otago.ac.nz
Website: http://www.otago.ac.nz/dentistry