Oral health for Tamariki
Starting in April 2021, Niho Kura, a 12 month pilot programme based on a highly successful Scottish model, was delivered in West Auckland. The programme has achieved dramatic improvements of children.
Good oral health practices in the first five years of a child’s life are critical for lifelong oral health. By contrast, poor oral health and dental decay at an early age can significantly affect physical, psychological and social development, leaving children susceptible to poor oral and general health throughout their lives. Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases to affect children in New Zealand and the problem is getting worse.
The Niho Kura pilot, funded by Well Foundation in partnership with Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora, Waitematā was provided for 18 Kura Kaupapa, Kōhanga Reo and other priority schools and early childhood centres in West Auckland. The programme was delivered in partnership with whānau, schools and the community focusing on innovative ways of delivering oral health information and an effective model of care.
Treatment alone cannot achieve good oral health - preventative practices and early intervention is necessary.
The pilot focuses on three key elements of the successful Scottish ChildSmile programme:-
Supervised tooth brushing programme
Outreach fluoride varnish programme
Dental Health Support Workers to support the successful delivery of the programme
The learnings from the pilot will be used to determine the feasibility and cost of establishing a larger programme that could benefit more young people across metro Auckland.
Generous donations from The Trusts Community Foundation, The Trusts, and the Kelliher Community Trust has enabled us to begin the process of establishing the programme.
