- More than 1 million Western Australian children have received free dental care through the WA School Dental Service since 1975
- The service provides dental care to more than 110,000 students every year
- Cook Government also launching an initiative for children under five to reduce decay before kids start school
- The initiative is part of the Cook Government's ongoing commitment to bolstering access to health care
On World Oral Health Day, the State Government-funded School Dental Service (SDS) is celebrating 50 years of shaping healthy smiles for Western Australian children.
The number of decayed, missing or filled teeth in 12-year-olds is now about seven times lower than when the SDS first began.
The service is provided by a network of State-funded dental therapy centres (DTC), staffed by dental therapists/oral health therapists and dental clinic assistants as well as a visiting dentist who provide care to over 110,000 students every year.
Today, there are 140 fixed DTCs located within schools in WA, and a further 25 mobile DTCs which visit 140 smaller schools.
The Cook Government is also announcing a new initiative through the Smiling Starts Early Childhood Dental Program to reduce decay in WA children before they even start school.
In addition to the care provided by oral health therapists, Smiling Starts dental clinic assistants are being trained to apply fluoride varnish, a protective coating to reduce the risk of decay and protect against cavities.
The training forms part of the Cook Government's focus on preventative health, by ensuring young children learn and develop good oral health habits.
The program also offers parents and children under five free access to oral health information, screenings and preventive care.
To find out more about Smiling Starts, please click the following link: Smiling Starts
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"This World Oral Health Day I'm celebrating our incredible public dental workforce for the generations of Western Australians they've assisted through the School Dental Service, and
the many more to come through our Smiling Starts initiative.
"Smiling Starts is the exciting next chapter of growth for dental health services, expanding care into the earliest years of life to address a recognised gap in oral health care for children under five.
"Currently one in three children aged five to six are starting school with some level of tooth decay, this initiative is about making a real difference as early as possible.
"We now have our first cohort of eight dental assistants who have successfully completed the nationally recognised Oral Health Care Skill Set to ensure toddlers at risk of cavities are given additional protection.
"This is about improving access to health care in the community to give WA kids the best start in life."
As stated by Acting Preventative Health Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"By providing the fluoride in non-clinic environments, the program aims to give children a positive experience, as well as educate families about looking after their teeth.
"I'm proud to see WA is leading the way in preventative dental health, it's a wonderful achievement for the Smiling Starts team."
