Page 11 - ICD Newsletter May 2022 Final rev

REPORT ON FIRST VISIT
The purpose of the first visit in April was to meet the internationally accredited Hill Laboratory in New
and connect and to establish relationships with local Zealand to have fluoride levels determined. One of
health workers at Aitutaki Hospital and with principals the samples from a private bore, detected fluoride
and teachers of the three local primary schools on present at 0.57 mg/L, an excellent amount for a
Aitutaki Island. It was also necessary to make some tropical climate. Watch this space, very exciting news
initial assessments of the oral health needs of the for this island which will be investigated further in
primary school children to determine what resources June 2022.
would be required for the larger team of dental
volunteers (all self-funding) who will visit Aitutaki in Project Coordinator: Dr Liz Webb,
June 2022. webbonponga@xtra.co.nz

It was such a pleasure to spend time with the people
of Aitutaki. It is hoped that from this initial visit that
we can work towards some common oral health eviDent Foundation Fundraising
goals - turou Hawaiiki. In total, 114 children aged Hike - The Grampians Peak Trail
between 2 - 11 years, who were present at school on
the day, had their oral health assessed. All children
were very interested in having their teeth examined 7.00am on Saturday of the Anzac Day long weekend
and were assessed in class groups, with the consent was very ‘fresh’ but clear. Our small band of heavily
of their school principals and teachers. Principals of laden, adventurous dentists headed out into the
the schools were pleased to have us on their grounds wilderness of the Grampians.
looking at the oral health of their tamariki and were
welcoming and helpful. We were on a mission. An eviDent Foundation
mission to ‘Reach the Peak’ for Healthier Teeth.
Established in 2011, eviDent is a health promotion
charity, supporting Australia’s only Dental Practice
Based Research Network. It aims to encourage
relationships between practitioners and academic
researchers. Its research leads directly to improved
treatment outcomes for patients, and is an initiative
of the Australian Dental Association, Victorian Branch
(ADAVB).

Most children had untreated dental decay with
advanced carious lesions in both primary and adult
teeth and presented with unbrushed teeth with thick
plaque and calculus. Our June 2022 visit aims are
to place fissure protections on permanent molars,
to treat carious lesions for school and kindergarten
children and to establish toothbrushing programs
as directed by community volunteers, MoH and
principals.
Our fearless leader was none other than Dr Jeremy
Fluoride in ground-waters may be naturally present Sternson, current ADAVB President, and ICD Section
on Aitutaki Island. I collected four drinking-water VIII Fellow. We numbered 8 dentists, including
samples from across the island, from well water Jeremy’s wife, Mel, Meaghan Quinn, the eviDent
sources, which were brought back and delivered to

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