Oral Health Strategy for Scotland

7. The Way Ahead

7.1.1 In this stategy we have drawn attention to the poor state of oral health in Scotland and to the worrying indications that the position among 5 year olds may actually be deteriorating. We have set out a strategy to reverse this trend and to try to deliver the national targets by 2000. We do not underestimate the difficulty of the challenge. It will require the concerted effort of the many agencies to whom this document is addressed, particularly health boards, the dental profession and schools, nursery schools and playgroups. But it also requires individuals to recognise and accept that oral health is primarily a personal responsibility. To break the pattern of dental neglect in Scotland we have recommended a concentration for a sustained period on pre-school children and their parents in an attempt to inculcate a positive attitude to oral health in the first of many generations.

7.1.2 The areas where substantial progress is sought and the actions required may be summarised as follows:-

Diet the consumption, and frequency of consumption, of sugars, especially by children need to be substantially reduced. This will be sought though health education and through the work of the Scottish Diet Group.

Health promotion clear and comprehensive action by health boards to assess the dental health needs of their population, to set local targets related to the national targets, to plan and purchase dental services accordingly, and to initiate, monitor and evaluate oral health programmes and their outcomes health boards to work closely with other key organisations to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach towards improving oral and dental health action by health boards and the Health Education Board for Scotland to encourage daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, a healthy diet which limits the intake and frequency of intake of sugar, regular visits to the dentist, and the delivery of simple, clear and consistent advice on oral and dental health schools, in co-operation with health boards, to consider how best to promote dental health in schools.

Fluoridation health boards should consider the case for fluoridating public water supplies and pursue this with key agencies eg local authorities, the Water and Sewerage Customers Council and water authorities the use of fluoride supplements can play a useful part in preventing oral disease. The advice within this strategy is that for at-risk groups fluoride supplements should be used under the direction of a dental or medical practitioner.

The Individual children and parents to be encouraged to adopt the simple preventive measures of regular and thorough tooth cleaning, a sensible diet, and regular visits to the dentist

Prevention everyone should develop an awareness of the causes of dental and oral disease including cancer and endeavour to eliminate these causes

Other important preventive measures the wide use of properly constructed mouthguards in all contact sports should be actively encouraged by the Scottish Sports Council, sports governing bodies and local authorities the Health Education Board for Scotland to reflect the role of tobacco and alcohol in oral health in their dental campaigns

7.1.3 Dental caries and periodontal disease may not be life threatening but they cause a high level of unnecessary pain and discomfort and social embarrassment. Oral neglect is a symptom of a deeper underlying lack of regard for personal health which is manifested in so many other elements of the Scottish lifestyle. We owe it to ourselves to change these attitudes and to enjoy the benefits flowing from a fitter and healthier nation.