Barwon Health’s Oral Health Service is continuing its early intervention program Wide Smiles, visiting thousands of students across Geelong this year.
Led by Dr Michael Smith and Sharon Lewis, Barwon Health developed a method to improve the oral health of children by visiting 44 kindergartens and 25 schools.
During the 2018 school year, children received two dental check-ups and were provided with toothbrushes and toothpaste. Students with early ‘white spot’ decay had fluoride varnish applied.
Parent engagement sessions were also conducted and information on sugar content in different foods was shared. To date, more than 16,000 children have benefited from the program.
Children at Northern Bay College requiring dental procedures benefited from Barwon Health’s outreach dental van, which is equipped to provide a variety of more complex dental treatments.
2018 was the third year the program has operated at Northern Bay College’s Wexford Campus and the service has now expanded to the school’s Peacock Campus. The response from both parents and students has been positive.
Adults with a Health Care Card or a Pension Card can access dental services at the Corio Community Health Centre Dental Clinic. Appointments can be made by phoning 4215-7240 – children under the age of 13 years access the service free.