The first-ever global child dental health
taskforce was established today.
The taskforce will initiate pan-European
and wider global action between now and 2025 to make tangible improvements
in child oral health.
The initiative is backed by the World Health Organisation, the World
Dental Federation and over 40 chief dental officers and leading dental
figures from across the world.
Although oral health has steadily improved over the last 30 years, dental
disease is still the number one disease affecting children, occurring
five to eight times more frequently than asthma, the second most common
chronic disease. In industrialised countries the majority of schoolchildren
are affected by dental decay, disease levels being highest in the under-privileged
groups. Dental disease levels are also increasing rapidly in the developing
countries.
The taskforce will encourage sharing of resources and best practice
between international dental leaders.
The initiative comes during the UKs presidency of the European Union
Reducing health inequalities is a key theme of the UK presidency.
England's Chief Dental Officer Professor Raman Bedi said:
" Good oral health is fundamental to good health overall.
_ We
are establishing this taskforce to improve oral health amongst children
on an international level and reduce oral health inequalities.
Over the past 30 years we have seen unprecedented improvements in
child oral health, but far more needs to be done to tackle this easily
treatable
disease.
_ The taskforce will ensure
effective sharing of information on preventative measures and work
to implement
initiatives to improve oral
health inequalities both within and between nations.”
News is included on this website
to inform visitors about current health issues, but not to endorse
any particular view or activity. Material in this news item
was first published by the UK Department of Health on 5th September
2005. For further information, please visit their
website using the link below.
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