As part of the ‘Childsmile’ programme in Scotland, at least 60% of children should receive two applications of fluoride varnishing to protect their teeth from decay, but figures show that health boards in the country are falling significantly short of the government targets in this area of dentistry. At the moment it is estimated that between 35% and 40% in deprived areas of the country have received the treatment and this figure is as low as 8% in more affluent communities.
NHSGGC (National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde) said that it would continue to encourage dentists to take part in the Childsmile programme and added that more nurseries in ‘high risk’ areas would be provided with the fluoride treatment. Children in priority schools and nurseries will also be given a further two applications to protect their teeth.
A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said ‘it is recognised that tooth decay is higher in populations of high deprivation so we have been working to provide this service in population areas where it is needed most. This approach ensures that fluoride varnish application is targeted in our most-at-risk populations and is therefore helping address oral health inequalities across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
She also added ‘we will continue to provide access to fluoride varnish-application to all children in NHSGGC who are registered with a dentist.’