WBHHS oral health team invite you to "Love your teeth"

As part of Dental Health Week 2022 (1-7 August), Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) oral health team is promoting the “Love your teeth!” message as the region continues a journey towards better dental health.

In good news for the Wide Bay, in the last 12 months (until June 30) WBHHS maintained its excellence in seeing patients requiring general dental appointments within their clinically recommended waiting time and significantly reduced the denture waiting list.

While WBHHS Oral Health Director Lisa Maddison praised the work of the oral health team in providing care and support local patients need, she encouraged people to take proactive steps in their own lives to love their teeth.

“Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our oral health staff, our WBHHS denture waiting list has reduced from 2,242 patients in July 2021 to 908 in in June 2022 – which is a 60% reduction in the number of people needing dentures,” Ms Maddison said.

“On top of that, in the same 12-month period our oral health team maintained excellence in treating general dental patients within their clinically-recommended waiting time – seeing every one of their patients within that timeframe as they have continually done for two-and-a-half years.

“These are really important steps that our oral health team is taking to fight what is one of the biggest chronic health issues in Australia and during Dental Health we’re asking people to “Love your teeth!” and actively take their own steps to prevent tooth decay and later dental issues.”

WBHHS oral health therapist and Fraser Coast team leader of the school dental service Sharyn Mitchell is one of the clinicians on the ground who are promoting the “Love your teeth” message and encouraged the community to embrace it through following some simple steps.

“Our campaign this year focuses on the importance of taking four particular steps to show some love for your teeth and gums,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Those steps are to take your teeth on a date to the dentist, love your teeth by brushing twice a day, treat your teeth to healthy food and drink, and spoil your teeth by cleaning them daily.”

While the “Love your teeth!” message has a fun theme that is centred on romance, Ms Mitchell there was a much more serious health concern behind it.

“It shouldn’t be considered normal to have teeth removed because of tooth decay or gum disease,” Ms Mitchell said.

“By continually promoting good oral hygiene, people can expect to keep their teeth for a lifetime.”

The WBHHS oral health team will be promoting the cause at the Maryborough Markets on August 4 where they will be handing out sample bags, pamphlets and promoting the message in the hopes of inspiring attendees to show their teeth some love.

The Bundaberg oral health team will also be handing out sample bags and pamphlets to people visiting their clinic today (August 1) while a number of participating local schools will be promoting the cause.

“The schools will be supporting Dental Health Week through theatrical storytelling with props by members of our visiting WBHHS oral health staff - which is basically one of us being silly and having fun while encouraging kids to care for their teeth,” Ms Mitchell said.

In 2021, the Australian Dental Association created Teeth.org.au, a one-stop-shop website that provides up-to-date and easy to read oral health information.

To find more Queensland Health resources about Dental Health Week visit: https://clinicalexcellence.qld.gov.au/campaigns/dental-health-week/