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Appendix I. Greater Glasgow Health Board - Oral Health Promotion for Vulnerable Children
Topics: Child and Maternal Health; Primary Care
Background
The project outline was submitted in the context of the Greater Glasgow Oral Health Strategy and reflected a range of actions required to improve health, reduce inequalities and improve health services.
Funding allocation
The pilot was allocated £1,390,000
Aim(s)
To improve health, reduce inequalities and improve health services in the context of oral health.
Methodology
A number of specific developments related to the unmet needs programme were identified:
- Additional services to nurseries - The "Smile Too" nursery programme and the "Get Brushing Club" initiative are two examples of vehicles used to develop extended oral health practices within nurseries, including those in areas of deprivation.
- Increased support to parents and carers of 0-3 year olds - A considerable range of local initiatives, increasingly targeting the parents of children under 3 years in areas of deprivation have been undertaken, including weaning fairs, Get Cooking, Dental Play boxes and oral health training for health visitors and assistants.
- Links to primary schools - A number of initiatives have been implemented e.g. "Hungry for Success" has seen extensive implementation across GCC primary schools; fruit in schools has seen enhanced provision to all primaries and nurseries and breakfast clubs with extended programmes have provided a range of oral health activities.
- Targeted activity for children with special needs - A specialist oral health promotion and oral hygiene service was developed and work to identify the needs of staff and carers in SEN schools and child health development centres was undertaken.
Key results
There were statistically significant improvements in 5 year olds' dental health indices in pilot districts.
There were also statistically significant improvements across Depcat 7 districts in Greater Glasgow following the introduction of OHAT activities with no similar improvement noted in Depcats 1-6.
Conclusions
The impact on the oral health of five year old children living in areas of deprivation has been significant and the unmet need programme has facilitated the continuing development of efforts to promote oral health across Greater Glasgow and in particular, vulnerable children. It has supported the continuing development of the Oral Health Programme in Greater Glasgow and in conjunction with additional funding, has supported the development of a comprehensive approach to oral health on an area-wide and local basis.
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