Dental study to gauge children's oral health

The latest survey stretches to all five-year-olds on the Isle of Man

A dental survey of five-year-olds aims to assess the oral health of children across the Isle of Man, the public health directorate has said.

Parents and carers are set to be asked whether they are willing to have their children take part in the study in schools between 22 April and 3 May.

Public Health's deputy director Toyin Amusan said by taking part people would help "build a more informative picture of oral health".

The survey follows a decision by the Council of Ministers that no action would be taken following research into adding fluoride into Manx water.

That came after a report by public health officials, which found it would be an "effective and safe" way to reduce tooth decay, but the report said more data needed to be gathered before further considerations.

'Accurate reflection'

Dr Aumsan said: "The results will act as a benchmark for future work of improving oral health in this age group, and assist in the planning of dental services."

It would also help the team "develop the island’s core dataset to build a picture of the factors affecting health and wellbeing in children and adults", she added.

The public health directorate said the children taking part in the survey would have their teeth checked in school by a dental survey team, which would "only take a few minutes".

Parents would then be notified by letter if there was any further examination needed.

While similar surveys had previously taken place every two years, public health officials said the survey had now been expanded to included all five-year-olds on the island "to achieve a more accurate reflection of oral health in this age group".

The process forms part of the UK National Dental Epidemiology Programme.