Monday 21 December 2009

283. Oral health is a right of all citizens

Press release number 011/08
(CGTP-IN)
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The Government, instead of implementing a policy seriously prevention and treatment of oral health at the Health Center to cover the whole population, expands an existing program, admittedly insufficient to pregnant women and elderly beneficiaries of the Solidarity Supplement for the elderly, representing the latter only about 60 thousand people.
It was published the order number 4324/2008, the Office of the former Health Minister Correia de Campos, to extend the National Oral Health Promotion, to pregnant women followed in the National Health Service and the elderly, recipients of the supplement for the elderly that are users of the SNS (National Health Service in portuguese). The National Program, approved in 2005 set the goal of reducing the incidence and prevalence of oral diseases in children and adolescents, as stated in the order, while providing about 60 thousand children and young curative care is recognized as is inadequate and must be reviewed by the end of 2008.
This finding of the mismatch of the program is not surprising, because it is demonstrative of the failure of policies that do not have this strategic objectives, such as oral health. CGTP-IN complained, over time, that the SNS was equipped dental consultation, as the general population has no access to these consultations, and, although we know that oral health, as recognized in that order, is an important public health problem, since it affects a large population and influence their levels of health, welfare and quality of life.
In Portugal, the situation is a shame in this area and, therefore, are the countries of the European Union where there is more oral health problems, since only those with substantial means or gets into debt, you can go private, given the costs high, both in prevention and treatment. Data from the Directorate General of Health, 2006, and characterize the chaotic situation prevailing in the Health Centers.
In any Continental country, to about 10 million inhabitants, there are only 32 medical specialists: 12 and 20 dentists in dentistry.

As can be seen throughout the Alentejo region there is no single expert and there are sub-health regions, as Braga, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu, Leiria, Guarda, Castelo Branco and Santarem, where there is also no expert . In the sub-region of Lisbon, home to hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people, there are only 15 specialists in Health Centers.
The government, faced with this grave situation in the country, rather than implement a serious policy of prevention and treatment of oral health at the Health Center to cover the whole population, expands an existing program, admittedly insufficient to pregnant women and elderly beneficiaries the Solidarity Supplement for the elderly, the latter representing only about 60 thousand people.
And the big question that arises is that the vast majority of the population remains without access to such care in the SNS and has no economic conditions for use of the private sector, which until now accept payments for some benefits to the people he had access. This kind of political charity can not be rejected, oral health is a basic right of all people.
There is a dental check of 120 euros in total for pregnant women and 80 per year for the elderly are covered by minimum social network, to go to private clinics affiliated to the program, which solves the shortcomings. These populist measures at only serve to spend public money when the country needs is that the SNS (National Health Service in portuguese) provides such care to the entire population.

282. AFID - National Association of Families for the Integration of Disabled Persons


Oral Health in AFID
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Currently, there is a growing public interest in maintaining your oral health in good condition, although there remain limitations with regard to economic conditions, availability of time and few medical resources.
Something has been done, but still much to be done, especially for this type of population. It is essential to continue this work. The training of coaches and parents is for us to be proud of, because all together we can help users with physical disabilities, physical or sensory impairment to have fewer health problems. The users acknowledge that they are removed, or at least minimized the problems of oral health for their quality of living is increasing.
Contacts: Centro Social e de Reabilitação do Zambujal, Quinta do Paraíso, Bairro do Zambujal, 2720-502 Amadora, Portugal, Phone: (00 351) 214 724 040 Fax: (00 351) 214 724 041 E-mail: afid@afid.org.pt

Thursday 17 December 2009

281. Oral Hygiene / Oral Hygienist (Characterization)

Decree Law 261/93 of 24 July and Decree Law 564/99 of 21 December - Activities to promote oral health of individuals and communities for epidemiological methods and actions of health education, provision of individual care aimed at preventing and treating oral diseases.
National Classification of Occupations / 2006 - It may act in promoting oral health of individuals and communities, using epidemiological methods and actions of health education:
-plans, executes and evaluates public health programs, oral;
-participates in education for health in the field of public awareness, provide knowledge on the implementation of oral care, personal hygiene in the prevention of oral diseases;
-running clinical techniques appropriate to the prevention and control of gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth decay, collecting clinical information through the evaluation of the registration of medical history, dental and food of the individual, measurement, evaluation and registration of vital signs, examinations of the head, neck and intra-oral health assessment of periodontal and oral hygiene examination of the dentition and occlusion, results of radiographic intraoral, recognition of emergencies and the implementation of dental impressions to develop models to study;
-executes and evaluates the effectiveness of treatments performed, including removal of the above computation and sub gingival root planing, polishing crowns and amalgams, application of topical fluoride, sealants for fissures and desensitization of hypersensitive teeth;
-perform other clinical tasks, including application and removal of surgical dressings, fillings debortantes detection, manipulation of media, application of the dike and cleaning of dentures, provides information on the implementation of individual oral hygiene.

Saturday 12 December 2009

280. Analysis of the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases in 2008 (Part 1)

PREFACE

This is a foreword to the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008 published by the Directorate General of Health Follow up with further comments in due course where there will be a detailed and careful analysis of each of the chapters that make up the study.
A publication by the Directorate General of Health, the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008, by the way, referring to the 2005/06 school year, come be a further document to the appropriate diagnosis and analysis of the health of the Portuguese, in which case regard to oral health.
Praising all the work done by the team that took him out, now it is suggested not to lose momentum, teamwork, persuading it to continue its invaluable work and to deepen the theme, extending it to a larger universe. Being one of the few research as part of oral health carried out at national level, may be suggested to the Directorate General of Health to strengthen the team that put it together and that they may continue their activities, now more favored with the expansion of new technologies for collecting, processing and analysis. It is suggested that the establishment of working partnerships between the team that conducted the study and the various national authorities that may somehow contribute to research in this area, either because they are directly related to oral health, for example the various professional and training entities associated with oral health or other entities independent of the Ministry of Education and that may contribute to the collection and processing of information, either by opening initiatives that allow the input of others, individually or collectively, to solve the problems detected.
Therefore, the National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008 is not an end but the beginning of a comprehensive national program to combat oral health problems affecting the population.
Another suggestion is made to the Directorate General of Health is allowing the release of National Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases 2008 at an address directly on the Internet without the need to necessarily download it from the site of the Directorate General of Health, allowing easier access to its content.

Tuesday 8 December 2009

279. DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HEALTH: Dental caries increased 21% in the last 20 years

Cavities in Portugal increased in young people between six and 15 years. The data are from a national study of the Directorate General of Health that reports of an increase of 21 percentage points over the last 20 years.
Young people between six and 15 years are more careless in the care they should have with their teeth and, therefore, increased tooth decay in our country over the past 20 years to 21 percentage points. The data come from a national study of the Directorate General of Health, which shows the evolution over 20 years of oral health of children and young Portuguese, a document that examines the period between 1986 and 2006.
The study also indicates that with increasing age there are more problems in the gums, as well as greater habit of brushing teeth at least twice a day, but also shows a positive trend in population with healthy teeth. Looking further study and a focus on regions shows that Lisbon and Tagus Valley comes up with the best results, as Madeira and the Azores registered the lowest values. The letter also says that with the contracting of private services also increased the number of people with teeth treated between 2000 and 2006.
In one of the most important part of dental hygiene, like brushing your teeth at least twice a day, the percentage tends to increase with age, rising from 50 percent to six years to 69 percent at age 15.
After revealing all the data the study recommends the implementation of the strategies of the National Oral Health Promotion, "as soon as possible, the lives of children" and prevention to be integrated into health promotion in general. The study of the Directorate General of Health also recommends the establishment of oral health care services accessible to children and young people, and a system for collecting epidemiological information for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of interventions.

278. Oral health plan leaves 1.7 million to spend

The plan that provides dental care for children from three to 16 years spent only 3.3 of the five million available in 2007. And not even cover the 65 thousand subjects provided. "Regrettable," says the Dental Association.
The National Oral Health Promotion Directorate General of Health (DGS) included 52,771 children and young people last year. Five thousand more than in 2006, but below the 65 thousand down, despite the budget increase. This amounts to an implementation rate of 81%, well below the 92% in 2006.
Despite the "remarkable" gains in the face of health conditions available, the president of Dental Association regrets that the implementation to "inexplicably not be complete. This in a country that has about 1.3 million children and young people in those age groups.
Assuming that you can not reach everyone - not least because many families opt for private - Orlando Monteiro da Silva considers that, at least, the children at health centers should be gradually covered, starting with the youngest. If so how many the children of pregnant women assisted in the National Health Service (65 000/year), will be between three to 16 years, 795 000. "The coverage does not reach 7%. There are children on the waiting list to enter the program and the country gives itself the luxury of not spending the money available."
Orlando Silva attributes the low performance of the shortage of dentists contractually agreed to the program (which involves schools and health centers). They are 1191 dentists in a recruitment process which bureaucracy "hangs" new accessions and the price - 75 euros / year / child - are unworkable.
Says the DGS (Directorate - General Health) that the 52 771 children involved 112 850 queries, ie, an average of 2.3 each. Arguing on the number of cavities treated (there were 150 147 before the intervention medical and dental, going to 34 321 after), to which we must add seals and fillings, we can see that "the number of treatments is much higher than the number of queries" . And, he adds, "the biggest complaint from colleagues is that the most frequent cases are children under ten or more cavities.
For OMD (Dental Association), the solution to improve a program that the former Minister Correia de Campos considered "inadequate" (in order of January in which determined the enlargement to 80 000 children this year) would impose the schedule dental check up for pregnant women and elderly people in need. Dentists are part voluntarily and receive 40 per consultation.
The few children from three to five years covered (4711, when there is in Portugal about a hundred thousand) is another critical Orlando Silva. Why is following them early on that it prevents and prevents tooth decay and meets the program.
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It is unfortunate that a socialist government almost completely devastates the access of children and adolescents to oral health programs, this is a very serious crime of negligence by the Public Health Ministry, so I would ask all readers of this blog they denounce this attack perpetuated by the government and they deliver their complaints to all the institutions of civil and human rights, both in Portugal and abroad.
The government can not continue to act criminally negligent by placing the health of children and young people at risk for permanent and the rest of their lives, with all the serious physical and psychological problems that result from irreversible, it is time to say enough is enough. Someone can put an end to this barbarity committed by a government of a country that is part of the European Union.

Friday 4 December 2009

277. São José Hospital: A call from a mother

Helena said ... Reading the comments I regret to inform you that the health care system remains the same or worse than 34 years ago, because I have 2 children one with 6 and another 5 years I have asked family doctors to consult a dentist exactly to prevent cavities and other problems that may exist, the application was made for an appointment to the Hospital of São José in April and I am still waiting for a response - we are in August right?
August 10, 2008 21:44
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Please thank this mother who let their contacts in my e-mail address (tempogero@gmail.com) to myself determine the reasons and answer promptly to your request.
However left the balance of the Oral Health Program for children and adolescents for the year past, is here made its analysis within a few days. At the outset it seems that sin is of the same mistakes that have happened in previous years' programs, ie, the current pace only within 40 / 50 years is that all existing children and youth in Portugal are entitled to a consultation for the above program , that if within that period the birth rate were to be zero in the country.

Thursday 3 December 2009

276. State vs Oral Health: A mess

In the beginning was the PICS: Integrated Care for Oral Health. It was a program of oral health in the community. Implemented in 7 of the 11 municipalities in the district of Castelo Branco, the PICS lasted 6 years and ended in 1997.
Given the good results achieved, the Dental Association (Professional Association of Dentists, the relevant date), just as the Medical Association, concluded with the General Directorate of Health a partnership agreement providing for the contracting professional of his associates that, in their offices, make the necessary treatments to the permanent teeth of children attending public school, discriminated against those of private education. It began so PAMDIA - Program of Dentistry for Children and Adolescents. The treatment of permanent teeth of each child was worth 75 euros.
Came, then the PPSOCA: Program for Promotion of Oral Health in Children and Adolescents, for still and only students in public schools. Dental care of permanent teeth of each child started to cost 75 Euros.
Finally, there is the current PNPSO: National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health. Its first part requires the treatment of temporary teeth (deciduous, milk or deciduous) and permanent teeth of each child or adolescent. Despite the increased workload, increased taxes and the increase of dental materials, all the treatments still worth 75 euros per person treated.
Another component of this PNPSO is the Oral Health of Pregnant. Pregnant women are entitled to the issuance of checks issued in dental health care facilities for the treatments that need be made. However, only pregnant women who are followed in the health centers are entitled to such checks. The other, even if they are followed in the National Health Service, are not entitled to dental check. Discrimination is evident. According to several legal opinions, endorsed also by forensic experts, this is an outrage to the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic. It is therefore an unconstitutional situation wound.
All the dental care of pregnant worth 120 Euros - an amazing recovery for the value of treatment provided to children and adolescents. But there's more: no dental check can be issued if there is no dental care to be undertaken. A scaling (cleaning) does not warrant the issuance of a check, as set out in the circular normative Directorate General of Health. And the first check issued to a pregnant then the Health Center of Olivais and sponsored by the Health Minister has served, according to recipient to make a clean, since there was no need for other treatments. Television showed and gave voice to that user of the Center for Health. The conclusion seems obvious: the rules conveyed by circular normative not be honored.
Finally, watch out about the third part of PNPSO: the issue of dental checks by family physicians in health centers, pensioners who benefit from the Solidarity Supplement for the elderly. Although morally acceptable - are vulnerable members of society - the present situation involves, once again, a trampling on the Constitution, given the explicit discrimination in the rules of the Oral Health Program for the elderly.
With regard to payment of medical and dental instruments, we are witnessing yet another surprise: the processing undertaken in the oral cavity of elderly worth 80 euros per senior per year, without specifying the amount of work is pursued. Thus, the oral health of the elderly, which is worth 80 Euros, worth more than the oral health of the child or adolescent (75 Euros) and unless the oral health of pregnant (120 Euros). No one explained the criteria that led to the allocation of those values. Nor is it explained why the Health Centers Oleiros, Castelo Branco, Covilhã and Belmonte were not allowed to deliver dental checks, if the Minister of Health stated that all health centers in the country could do.
Other situations exist that make up something wrong in the Ministry of Health, as part of Oral Health. The circular establishing the normative PNPSO clearly says that will be handled by professional contractors in the program that users can not treat the institutions of the National Health Service. The Health Minister certainly does not agree with this position that determines PNPSO since it excludes the hypothesis of a citizen to enjoy a medical and dental consultation in the Health Center asks: who should do the Doctors in office at the Health Center? There is also advise that the verification of existing resources, as the Doctors concerned. There is only "about 20" of those professionals working in the National Health Service should be clarified: in 16 health centers of the Azores work 17 Doctors, in Castelo Branco, there are 2 more, the IPO of Porto, 2; in Viseu, 2, plus more of those oral health professionals in Aveiro, Bragança, Hospital S. João, ...
The attachment of the Dentists National Health Service is a real surprise in terms of legal violations, there's the Dental Board Staff, Technicians and Career General in conducting clinics. Within the same career, there are Dental Clinic prohibited from exercising within the National Health Service, with purely administrative functions. There Dentists Resolves contract with a fixed term that are based on the Medical Career Hospital and others that are based on the Career of General Technicians. Both of clinical functions and do the same work schedule. However, they have ordered different. To all these receipts, there was also green.
The conclusions, of course, belong to the reader. Likewise, the anger that can lead to action.
Manuel Nunes
Dentist

275. Project Area of the 12th year of the School of Tondela


Link: Enter here
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We are a group of project area in the 12th year of the Secondary School of Tondela. We are conducting a project entitled "Oral Health: How to increase pride in our teeth?"

Thursday 26 November 2009

274. ENTRONCAMENTO: The Board pays the brushes

Children who first enrolled in pre-school will be involved in sessions on oral health, organized by the Center for Health and the Alpha grouping of Kindergartens. The idea is to warn children and parents "to the importance of oral health and general welfare, in particular the practice of daily brushing of teeth."
The Board unanimously decided to award a grant of € 43.56 for the purchase of 200 toothbrushes, the essential "educational tool".

Monday 23 November 2009

273. Healthy teeth - first step to a healthy life

Was this today at our school a Superior Technique for Oral Health Center of Cacém, as part of the National Oral Health Promotion Directorate General of Health said a nice lady, this program is developed through various observations pupils aged between seven and twelve / thirteen. Sometimes also observed students in kindergartens. The first observation is given in the second year, becoming another in the fourth year and one third in the sixth year students previously reported as having some decay.
Also according to figures provided by the dental hygienist contacted in the previous academic year (2006/07) the percentage of caries-free children in kindergartens in the area of public Cacém was 71% and the group of boys from the age of seven was 42% caries-free. At national level there are no updated statistics.
Now, seven years old, 42% of students in a city area were free of cavities, which means that 58% already have tooth decay. These cases are referred and then sent to parents. Unfortunately, many do not have the health centers for further treatment of children. Unfortunate at all levels!
It follows appeals to parents to address oral hygiene and good health of children.
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A number to remember: 58% of children under seven years of age already have caries. Does this number does not mean anything to the Ministries of Health and Education? Then there are those who say that there are more dentists in Portugal.

Thursday 19 November 2009

272. Workshop Learning Oral Health


Workshop Learning Oral Health
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Information and registration on the link:

271. Guinea-Bissau: Portuguese World Smile will open a dental clinic and provide free consultations

The non governmental organization (NGO) World of Smile will open a dental clinic in Guinea-Bissau and to provide free dental care to the entire population of Guinea, said today its chairman Miguel Pavão. Built three years ago to the World Smile is an association of dentists that Portuguese is to work in the area of oral health, especially among poor communities, excluded and marginalized.
In addition to projects in Portugal, the World Smile also has work in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, countries where volunteers from the World Smile provide medical care and raise awareness of oral hygiene. The idea of opening a clinic in Guinea-Bissau arose because the World The Smile had only a portable dental chair that limited the work of volunteers. "We had difficulty working. The only practical way was a portable dental chair, which helps but it has limitations," said today the agency Lusa Miguel Pavão.
A World of Smile contacted the orphanage Casa Emanuel, in Bissau, "a partner in the field, which allied with the initiative and offered a space in its facilities to build the clinic, said the person. "I was sent a dental chair courtesy Associação Abraço and 15 boxes of material in dentistry and dentistry that the Portuguese Institute for Development Support us chartered a container," said the president of the organization.
According to Miguel Pavão, next month to follow the Guinea-Bissau a group of volunteers, including two university graduates, which will install the seat, and the clinic to open in mid-August. The clinic will provide free service to all the Guinean population.
Waiting for "many customers," Miguel Pavão said he will have to be set some rules in attendance, with priority being given to partners and for priority cases. For now, the care provided will be "almost palliative, focusing on the treatment of caries, pain management, prescriptions and care for the young.
"Because they have a consumption of sugar too low, it pays to gamble when it comes to their first tooth. Up to 12 years can apply them to a treatment that prevents tooth decay," said the head.
Besides the clinical aspect, another tip of the organization is the training of local technicians and public awareness for the care of oral hygiene.

Saturday 14 November 2009

270. Portugal: 5 districts without dentists in the National Health Service (S.N.S.)

The District of Santarém is one of five national level where people are forced to use private dentists because this specialty does not exist in public health services, according to a survey of the Dental Association. The remaining Braga, Guarda, Viseu and Portalegre.
According to the "Survey information carried in the health centers and hospitals throughout the continent" by the Dental Association (O.M.D.), which was presented at the XIV Congress of these professionals, nine out of ten health centers do not have doctors and dentists in seven ten hospitals suffer from the same shortcoming. The situation is worse in the five districts mentioned, since none of the hospitals or health centers serving those populations have this specialty.
The coordinator of the Sub-Health Region Santarém, Fernando Afoito, confirms that there is not staffing to dentists in health centers and specialty also not enter the accounts of public hospitals in the district. But he stresses that "Santarém is not zero in this field."
Been going on for five years a program of oral hygiene, guaranteed by qualified technicians, originally intended for schoolchildren. This year has been extended to pregnant women and users of rehabilitation centers for children.
"We have ten oral hygienists that cover eleven health centers - Benavente, Salvaterra, Coruche, Cartaxo, Rio Maior, Almeirim, Torres Novas, Tomar, Entroncamento, Fátima and Ourém," said Fernando Afoito. To ensure the service in other health centers, the Sub-Health Region contracted dentists. "Only in Santarem we contract with five," says the same charge.
The work is mainly done to prevent tooth decay and maintaining oral hygiene. From there, it only dentist in the private market. Where sometimes the service is paid its weight in gold.
The survey conducted by OMD now updates an earlier study in 2001, and reveals that, for the provision of treatment in oral health, "the situation has not changed, rather, has worsened." The Dental Association points out that the dentists' can only perform their duties as professionals, since there is no legislation that falls within the National Health Service. "
The lifting of the Dental Association covered 410 medical institutions spread across 79 hospitals and 340 health centers, the 18 districts of mainland Portugal. Taking into account all health facilities surveyed, "only 11 percent of cases there is a" specialty of dentistry or dental, which represents a reduction compared to 2001, concludes the Dental Association.
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It is unfortunate that this country will see on television the main national leaders at the inauguration of the health units of privately and these same governments never do anything for an increasingly dire oral health in central hospitals and health centers.
How can the tax money paid by all who work in this country continue to be diverted to lucrative business of private hospitals, where only the rich can get? What the politicians responsible for this situation?

Tuesday 10 November 2009

269. More than 5,000 dental checks delivered to pregnant women and elderly, but only 10% used

More than 5,000 dental checks were given to pregnant women and elderly in just over a month of operation of the oral health project, the vast majority of mothers, according to official figures provided today to Lusa. Dental checks were created by the Government as a way to address the shortage of oral health in the National Health Service (SNS - Serviço Nacional de Saúde in Portuguese).
According to figures from the Dental Association, 27 May to 07 July were issued more than 4483 dental checks for pregnant women and only about 600 checks for the elderly. Each pregnant then the health centers are entitled to three dental checks, a maximum total of 120 euros, a program that provides cover 65 thousand pregnant. The elderly beneficiaries of the solidarity supplement can enjoy a maximum of two dental checks for a total of 80 euros.
Although they were issued more than five thousand checks, the figures compiled by Monday show there are only 559 checks were used (about 10 percent of already issued). For the president of the Dental Association, Orlando Monteiro da Silva, the difference between the checks and have already used to do with the fact that people to schedule consultations for later, stressing that the use of checks is to have " in recent days an exponential growth. This is evidenced by the number of calls with requests for information to the dentist, they have been around an average of 60 calls daily, and the Chairman of the Dental Association decided to allocate only two officials to answer questions from users.
In the geographical distribution of the issue of dental checks, the Regional Health Administration (ARS) North emerges as the most checks is delivered, then the ARS Lisbon and Tagus Valley, the ARS Center, the Algarve and Alentejo. In the north there are 92 health centers to spend these coupons to users of the National Health Service (SNS), 87 Center, 79 in Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo 23 and 15 in the Algarve, a total of 296 structures throughout the country.
So far there are over 2,300 private physicians who joined the program of checks by the NHS, with more than 3,000 different sites that users may apply for consultations or treatments. The Dental Association estimates there will be 195 thousand consultations for pregnant women - a total of 7 800 000 EUR - and 190 thousand appointments for seniors, a total of 7 600 000 EUR. If there were a fair distribution of checks by medical members, each clinician had revenues of more than 6800 per year.

Sunday 8 November 2009

268. Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Group (Azores)

The situation of children and youth at risk is manifested in various forms, the most common situations of physical abuse and psychological health problems, neglect, sexual abuse, parental responsibility and school dropout. Children under five are suffering most from the attacks on their well-being, followed by a band of six to 11 years. In most cases, children are victims of their own family.
(...) In the Azores, this reality must be considered. Furthering the problem, we are led to a paradox: 13 years after the proclamation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which definitely puts the child as having rights, it has never been wider policies to protect children. Therefore, the current situation of children, cited above, seems to be due mainly to the deep inequality in contemporary society, with emphasis on the situations of material deprivation and school that affect large segments of the population, providing, within families , land structural risk of mistreatment in childhood, especially on the major shortcomings of basic care.
Thus, the resolution of the paradox may lie in adopting economic policies and effective social transformation and change social realities that promote exclusion. In Portugal, since 1990 that have been working towards the implementation of policies at various levels who value the status of children and adolescents. Since that free health care in childhood and adolescence, extends to the pediatric health centers and hospitals, to the effective development of a network of public institutions for preschool education, while establishing the mechanisms to combat underachievement and school dropout.
(...) In the Azores, the approach to the issue of children and youth at risk marker is on the one hand, national legislation and, secondly, the implementation of these decisions on the ground with the regulations and adjustments will need to verify that there is a protection effective, and, not least so that they prevent the timely appearance of contexts vulnerable to those situations.
(...) To prevent the emergence of land structural risk, when:
• If you decide to school integration of children and youth with special needs and challenges teachers with expertise in the area;
• If endows the framework of school psychologists (soon to be 46);
• If vaccinated children;
• If you create, unique initiative in the country, the report Oral Health for Children and the Regional Oral Health;
• If underpins the debate on the subject and the training of educators, teachers, health professionals, social workers, psychologists, sociologists, law enforcement officials, judges, etc...
(...) Speaking a little more about the phase of the signal, it must be with the school space as the privileged to do so, given that every child goes to school and there are many hours. Thus, educators must be aware of the observation of behaviors of children and young people, and should be given training to enable the observation of behavior, detecting any signs of abuse.
Moreover, it is essential that the school institution is organized to offer opportunities and contexts for their students unload their tensions, to confide, be themselves without fear of criticism. We need to establish a trust relationship they entres and education community, so that they feel they can count on the school institution to everything they need, including accusations of mistreatment to which they are subject, with particular reference for sexual abuse, the subject of difficult approach, as is well known to us all.
(...) Often, the referral of the child or young person is at risk for institutionalization in shelters or temporary homes. Currently, there are, throughout the Region of the Azores, about 580 children and young institutionalized. To respond to this reality, the policy of Government has been marked by:
• Building and / or create new equipment, providing all the islands (except the island of Corvo), a reception center or a home, preventing children from leaving their own island;
• Remodeling the large homes for young people - known for boarding, replacing them with equipment having the host family for 10/12 users, which provides a more human, more customized education and therefore better personal development and well-being for the young;
• All children and young people with disabilities, have specific sites, no longer need to stay locked at home in sub-human conditions;
The routines of life of children and young people promote their development from the point of view emotional, social, motor, intellectual and emotional level. So, what is needed is to define policies and which, on an ongoing basis to improve on these routines in the day-to-day life, as has been done by governments the responsibility of the Socialist Party / Azores.
The multidimensionality of the area requires a combination of various efforts in a speech which must be increasingly regionalized. Therefore, the articulation between the authority and all social organizations working in the area, with particular reference to Local Authorities, Private Institutions of Social Solidarity, non-governmental organizations, not to mention his own family, it is essential that the designs and develop an effective plan of action that would prevent and combat situations of children and young people in danger.
Horta, Session Room, September 19, 2003
Regional Socialist Party Maria Natividade Luz

267. VILA REAL: Inform the younger population on prevention in oral health

Built in 2002, the Clinic of Dentistry Dr. Daniel Azevedo (Qt. St Iria Lt. 6-Lj 1 Vila Real 5000-722 VILA REAL Phone.: 259327004) has been growing, with new expertise and contributing to improving the quality of care provided in the municipality of Vila Real. Inform the younger population on prevention in oral health is increasingly important.
Aware of this reality, Daniel Azevedo is developing a project together with local authorities, which relates to screening in schools and at the same time, motivate the children to the importance of prevention. "Initially this project will be done only with the schools of Vila Real, and later be extended to the whole county."
According to our interviewee, in the last ten to 15 years dentistry has undergone many changes, particularly in terms of materials. "The materials are becoming more advanced, giving greater security to doctors, for it can be solved more quickly and quality problems of users. This is very important for people to stop being afraid of going to the dentist, "waging a daily struggle to combat the phobia of visiting your dentist and slowly we have achieved great results at this level, which is very important, especially if given that ten percent of the world population is totally toothless. Our trip to the schools will also contribute greatly to the children stop being afraid of going to the dentist, then they will themselves encourage parents to take better care of their dental hygiene, because oddly enough, many Portuguese still do not know What is a toothbrush. "
In oral health, the most frequent problems in terms of prosthesis fixation. Although at first glance this seems very simple, turns out to be complex, because users who have this problem end up not getting a nice relationship with others, become more depressed and isolate themselves from society. "We wanted enough to solve such problems. Today is starting to be a change of mentalities and the implants are becoming increasingly in demand."
Contrary to popular belief, sometimes it is easier to rehabilitate a patient who had an implant than one that has an extraction, "which got three to four hours the user get out of here with my teeth fixed and ready to chew," it said . On the other hand, Daniel Azevedo advice to parents of children that they should begin to brush their teeth since very young, and to consult your dentist in order to familiarize them with doctors and with their own dentists. "By maintaining a daily dental hygiene from an early age can avoid more serious problems in the future."
The Clinic has established protocols with the Medis, with Caixa Geral de Depósitos, with the SAMS Quadros and with Visavital. The latter protocol was established about a year and, according to our interviewee, is having very positive results, "because it is an insurance policy that greatly reduces the cost of any dental treatment."
The cost of dental care continues to be one of the factors that most people away from doctors. "It's difficult for us to work around this problem, because the cost of the materials are very high due to its quality, as someone who values the quality has to use better materials and of course this increases the cost to the customer. So it is that we try to present several solutions, such as financing and insurance with which we work."
Daniel Azevedo admits he tried to establish protocols with other institutions, which was not possible because they have sufficient providers in the region. "We face an increasing demand for some health subsystems. I believe that the needs of these people are not being taken into account. On the other hand, is an injustice to the young professionals who come into the market with more timely and concepts which can not provide a response to being denied the convention, which ends up determining some treatments.
The investment in space, materials and equipment required a major financial undertaking. The Clinic has acquired all the equipment necessary to develop the best possible job. "Today, we are aiming primarily at the level of material we put into the mouth of users, because that is what gives us more immediate results. In terms of equipment, the differences are many brand to brand. I think that always accompany the technological developments and the moment there is nothing on the market to justify the purchase of new equipment. My dream, since I created the clinic, was to end with the drill, but it is not yet possible. There is a laser treatment that replaces the drill, but only in very specific and does not justify spending a copious enough money in equipment to treat an estimated one percent of situations."
The future should be always at the forefront in terms of technological developments. Daniel Azevedo also states that in the months of October or November, along with other professionals in the country, will steer a course in dentistry in the area of implant. This course will be held at the clinic and is intended for all practitioners who want to start in implantology.

Wednesday 4 November 2009

266. Disclosure of other blogs and sites

The friend reader knows other blogs and sites relating to health and especially about oral health? National or foreign, in any language?
Use e-mail tempogero@gmail.com to make their suggestions.

Sunday 1 November 2009

265. Regional Study on oral health in school-age population shows improvement in health care

The regional secretary for Social Affairs chaired, in Angra do Heroísmo, the public presentation of the Regional Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases in the Population Educated in the Azores, which started in 2006 by the Executive and which shows a reduction in the incidence of dental caries in Azorean youth. According to Domingos Cunha, the document that will be delivered to all schools and health units of the Azores, clearly demonstrates that the measures implemented by the Government of the Azores and supported by the Working Group on Oral Health, resulted in favor of oral health".
Integrated in the Regional Oral Health, the study, prepared by dentists Ricardo Cabral, Madalena Mont´Alverne and Artur Lima, covered 517 children from six, 12 and 15 years, examined in schools and health centers in all the islands, and been proven to reduce the rates of dental caries in young populations of the Azores. Praising the "judicious work, methodical, with scientific and clinical support" a team led by screening, the regional secretary highlighted the regional characteristics of the study: "first, was done by professionals who are active in the region, and second, is the first directed study in the area of oral diseases; third is a study that goes from Santa Maria and Corvo".
The minister also recalled the "pioneer" of the region in this sector, having created the Bulletin Single Oral Health for the users of the Regional Health Service, through Decree No. 93/2005 of 29 December.
In the presentation of research, Dr. Ricardo Cabral stressed that the Azores are the only regions of the country that holds 25 thousand visits per year, also having a "single policy for reimbursement." The investigator said that, under this project, is already prepared the Regional Study of the Determination of Fluoride in drinking water that is intended to cover the 154 municipalities existing in the Azores.
Currently, there are 108 dentists in the Region, 15 of which are integrated into regional health centers and 14 fellows, seven of them with degree completion.
* * *
For when the placement of a multidisciplinary team of oral health professionals in each of the groups of health centers in Portugal? For when the creation of a hierarchy which will include the provision of oral health care in the country, finally established the link between family doctors, schools, homes and families and the structures of oral health state and private nurseries in the existing country? There will be technical enough to line ministries with the ability to establish these recommendations?
Just the policy loose and having no connection with reality on the ground that the governments have been toast for years, follow up, instead, a public policy toward people because they pay taxes and need to they are provided health care.

264. Minister available to discuss possible extension of the Oral Health Program

Health Minister, Ana Jorge, criticized the "pressure" of the Dental Association for the enlargement of the National Oral Health Promotion, but expressed willingness to discuss with partners the possibility. 'The dentist made a proposal, we can analyze, but the dentist can not, of course, do what I almost say it's a pressure on the Ministry of Health [to extend that program], "said Ana Jorge .
The president of the Dental Association, Orlando Monteiro da Silva, met with the President of Portugal, has addressed the issue of the National Oral Health Promotion, which entered into force on 1 March, which involved placing a dental checks to pregnant women and elderly beneficiaries of the solidarity supplement. The president welcomes the initiative, but defends its extension to children, people with diabetes to holders of special diseases.
In response, Health Minister said that the current program already has been "a big step" to help two groups most in need, and argued that it should now gain experience and see what happens this program, but expressed willingness to discuss the possible expansion. "We are ready, together with partners, discuss what you can do, 'he said, stressing, however, that it must set priorities.
"Let's see if this will be a priority or not," said Ana Jorge, in Viana do Castelo, the margins of the First Congress on Lifestyles of Health Promoters.

Wednesday 28 October 2009

263. Dental Association is considering preventing access to the profession if they continue to miss career opportunities

The Dental Association is considering preventing access to the profession, they still do not exist solutions to employment for these professionals, told Lusa the president of the class. Orlando Monteiro da Silva spoke to the Lusa at the end of the hearing that he had with the President of the Republic, they discussed the issue of employment of dentists.
For Dental Association, the situation of these professionals is reaching a limit, since every year out 600 graduates who join the 6000 dentists that exist in Portugal. Without employment for the occupation, many have chosen to emigrate, which the Dental Association regrets. This situation are already 247 dentists in the profession in England.
Against this background, he considers "very serious", the Dental Association is considering preventing access to the profession, claiming that covered the health needs of the country in terms of dentistry.
Another issue that the Dental Association discussed with Aníbal Cavaco Silva was the National Program for Promotion of Oral Health, which entered into force on the 01 March and which involves the allocation of dental checks. According to the program, each pregnant then at the health center will have three dental checks, a maximum total of 120 euros. The program will cover 65 thousand pregnant. The elderly beneficiaries of the solidarity supplement can enjoy a maximum of two dental checks for a total of 80 euros.
Where appropriate, are essential requirements of a certificate of pregnancy or evidence of the situation as a beneficiary of Completion issued by the Institute of Social Security. Users can choose any doctor or dentist office, since that is part of the list of professionals who have joined the system in its health region.
The president of the Dental Association welcomed the initiative but maintains its extension to children, diabetics to holders of special diseases.
* * *
Comments taken from SAPO NOTÍCIAS:
- I did not realize. There are dentists out of work? So why is it that instead of the state spending millions of euros in dental checks in individual amounts not miserable places at the service of the general population in hospitals and health centers? Ah, because the lords of the order could not continue to ask for 100 per consultation, and no longer able to accumulate wealth. Health has to cease being a means of access to individual wealth. Health professionals have a right to a dignified life - as we all - but not at the expense of the disadvantaged. What is an elder who earn a minimum of survival will make 2 checks for 40 euros? What services will get access to this value? I hope they find a dentist who agreed to be sympathetic with the check and give them the value of money to buy food. But with the mentality of the class probably will only do so if only returning 70%, after all, have to pay the vacation home, luxury car and other essential expenses;
- Dental Association wants the same for the dental health of the Portuguese we have for the health of the body. Let the Portuguese choose, to inform young people of the courses where there is no way to employment, but does not prevent them from studying;
- My Portuguese friends. Now go to the dentist is necessary to obtain a bank loan! Yet with so many doctors, as the president of the Dental Association, the prices and the policy of treatment used by dentists are quite unrealistic for purchasing power, as the middle class disappeared. Only the rich, politicians, parliamentarians, judges, footballers, the ministers have a chance to consult a private doctor, with prices of consultations in force! Each physician that way, once the subconscious is the idea of getting rich in the following month;
- The question is simple: more than half of dentists preferred to have followed medicine ... but there are no vacancies! We got to the ridiculous oversubscribed dentists and lack of doctors in almost all specialties. It's a shame this country;
- Since when does the professional denying access to a profession duly recognized by the Republic? Here are ideas manifestly unconstitutional, such as in other areas, and no one protests;
- The president of the Dental Association, the fact that there is a Constitution and a right of access to the profession. The Dental Association, neither this nor the other, has the power to foreclose.

Sunday 25 October 2009

262. Region supports universal

Portugal advances with dental checks
but the autonomous region of Madeira think so not fair
* * *
The Government of the Republic, yesterday launch a new program that provides for the allocation of dental checks for pregnant and elderly. The program provides annual ceilings of 120 euros for pregnant women followed in the National Health Service and 80 euros for the elderly beneficiaries of the solidarity supplement.
The Region will not follow this policy and the regional secretary for Social Affairs explains why. "Our support is a universal form, are the people that group are. Need not be pregnant or elderly. Just having financial difficulties and that the evidence in the social security services," said Francisco Jardim Ramos, which exemplified by saying that 'there may be pregnant women whose family income does not need such support, as there are women that are pregnant, have more financial difficulties. " Moreover, the regional secretary for Social Affairs pointed out what has been done in Madeira, the level of the regional health plan, which bet on the preventive (with full coverage of all children in the region) and in the healing , which currently functions in health centers of Bom Jesus, Porto Santo and Porto Moniz.
With regard to oral health preventive Francisco Jardim Ramos stressed that in this last year, Funchal have come to be covered by this project, which already covers 16 thousand and 333 children. Only in this county, three thousand and 840 children, those who were covered by the initiative to visit schools and presenting an innovation: "The school equipment includes brush and toothpaste. Children are forced to take to school these two objects of hygiene".
With regard to the curative, Jardim Ramos has no specific dates but ensures that the purpose in the future, is to extend it to a larger number of health centers in the region. "The goal is to do with the users to go deal with their teeth in a larger number of health centers to cover the pass well to be full ', outlines the regional secretary for Social Affairs.
* * *
How is it possible within the same country there are two separate guidelines on oral health policy? It is more that since the oral health of the Portuguese should be purely and simply for political choices, since there is no lack of resources.
While so, the children will be disinherited of fortune, the old, poor and disadvantaged luck executioners of health policies of the regime? There are billions of euros to invest (megalomaniac projects like transport of high-speed TGV - Trans Grand Vitesse, or a new airport in the region of Lisbon), the politicians continue to do the make-believe about the health of most Portuguese.
No longer sufficient unemployment, poverty and hunger that affects so many like to pretend that there are health problems in the country. Unfortunately, there is the powerful politicians benefited from the April 25, 1974 that has to confront this reality.

Friday 23 October 2009

261. Oral health: dental checks only in public is 'expensive'

The health minister said today that an oral health program in the public sector would require an "investment too costly 'to be necessary to install equipment and put many professionals in the health centers. In the issue of symbolic first dentist to check a pregnant woman, the Health Center of Olivais (Lisbon), Ana Jorge assumed not to be made from savings accounts to the National Health Service (S.N.S. in Portuguese) with the use of contracted services in private area, where there are equipment and professionals in the field of oral health. This year, the extension of the oral health program will cost the state 21 million euros.
"[Download exclusively in the public oral health program] would require a huge effort for the program to be extended equally," stressed the Minister, ensuring that the initiative of dental checks allows the program to be extended in a 'faster and more equitable across the country. " So far 43 have been issued vouchers dentist, but the minister ensures that all health centers have already been offered.
For the president of Dental Association, Orlando Monteiro da Silva, although certainly continue to be much to do, a good start is always a good start. The program provides annual ceilings of 120 euros for pregnant women followed in the S.N.S. and 80 euros for the elderly beneficiaries of the solidarity supplement.
The order in February ruled that the extension of the National Program for Promotion of Oral Health include upgrading the health care coverage to 80,000 people per year, estimating that the program covers 65 thousand pregnant annually. The previous access to dentistry is done by a dentist custom-check issued to the user by the health center where it is followed, and necessary, as appropriate, a certificate of pregnancy or evidence of the situation as a beneficiary of Completion issued the Institute of Social Security.
In the initial check, pregnant women can receive two more checks for dental consultations and treatments, a total of 120 euros. The performance of treatments can be completed within 60 days after delivery.
The elderly can receive covered by two dental checks per year, a maximum of 80 euros. Users can choose from any doctor on the list of professional members of its health region. The list currently comprises 2,600 professionals, which is equivalent to 40 percent of doctors registered as a dentist (about six thousand), said the president of the Dental Association, stating that this is a process of continuous membership.
Maria de Fatima, pregnant over 35 weeks, was the face of the symbolic beginning of the issue of dental checks. The wearer's Health Center of Olivais received today from the hands of a Health Minister that will allow you to check "a check-up to the teeth and then we can see," but for not having dental problems, your plan calls for a cleaning procedure. "The teeth are weaker during pregnancy and it appeared not to [check this] is a help. Not all people have the means to go to a private doctor and so I agree with this measure, 'he said.

260. Request for help (models of the mouth and brush)

Hello !
I've been watching your blog and thought maybe I could help with the question: will this summer as a volunteer missionary for a school in Mozambique, among other projects, I will make oral health promotion, teaching teachers and students how to perform their hegiene oral.
I thought it would be useful to have a model of a mouth in proportions increased and also more brush to easily explain the technique of brushing. I know there on sale, but I do not know whether it is someone other than me could provide a model, even if it was borrowed? I thank you for your attention.
Contact Address: tempogero@gmail.com

Tuesday 20 October 2009

259. Violence against the elderly in hospitals and care PGR

The Attorney General's Office showed today concerned about the violence against the elderly and in hospitals, crimes still go unreported. Pinto Monteiro, who was speaking at the Parliamentary Commission for Education and Science, said there is fear of making investments.
I already have data on school violence, domestic violence - and then much larger - of violence on children, but about violence in hospitals so far has not managed elements, ie, there are still more afraid to report violence in hospitals than others type of violence, "he said.
The Attorney General's Office reveals that his priority is the investigation of various crimes of violence and, now, what worries him most is the violence against the elderly. "I have little evidence of violence on the elderly and I am extremely worried, is what worries me most, perhaps because the elderly have no voice," said Pinto Monteiro.
Renascença

Wednesday 14 October 2009

258. Surveillance actions in child and youth have "undoubted impact"

The Regional Director of Health assured the Azores in Horta, the monitoring activities in child and adolescent health, relevant and quality, have an "undoubted impact in the lives of children. Teresa Brito spoke at the Fifth Seminar of Child Health, held in Faial, an initiative of the Center for Health Horta, whose opening and chaired on behalf of the regional Social Affairs.
As underlined at the time, health does not depend, however, only the provision of care, since the "influence of social environment, biophysical and ecological is also crucial." For Teresa Brito, support for children with special needs, at risk or particularly vulnerable, reducing inequalities in access to health services and recognition of parents as primary care providers "are key priorities."
He remembered also that the increased level of knowledge and motivation of families, including improving the living conditions, "favor the development of the parental role and make it possible for parents and families to assume, as a right and duty, competing professionals to facilitate and promote it." He also said that feeding and infant health are important and current issues, to the extent that the "acquisition of eating habits result of obtaining knowledge and skills in childhood, reflected in improved quality of life throughout the life cycle."
"Children do not have innate abilities that enable them to choose one food discerned," the regional director noted, adding that this option results in "simple apprehension from the experience, observation and education." In this context, "the paper we as managers, professionals, parents and educators, takes a leading role in production practices conducive to proper nutrition, balanced and comprehensive," said Teresa Brito.
For physicians, nurses, teachers, kindergarten teachers, social workers and psychologists, this seminar discussed issues such as adolescence, school health, pediatric diseases, immunization and emotional attachment.

257. Azores: Number of children without tooth decay increases

The number of children Azores with six years free of tooth decay increased from 30 to 38 percent, according to regional prevalence study on oral educated population, today announced the Government.
The regional secretary for Social Affairs, Domingos Cunha, said that the significant increase of dentists and access of citizens to obtain "very positive results, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. "With the hiring of 15 dentists in the health units of all the islands of the archipelago and the work of over 108 dentists from the private sector, there is a greater supply which has been tapped by the people," he said.
According to Domingos Cunha, the health centers in the region are making every year, 25 thousand queries oral health policy and reimbursement for those using private services makes a decisive contribution.
The "Regional Study of Prevalence of Oral Diseases in the Population Educated in the Azores in 2005" was conducted by dentists Ricardo Cabral, Magdalena Mont'Alverne and Artur Lima. The study examined 517 children of nine islands, of which 250 were male (48 percent) and 267 females (52 percent) at six years (165), twelve years (179) and fifteen (153). The results showed that the average rate of dental fluorosis in the Azores is 0.7, with the islands of São Miguel and Pico those with the highest rate (0.9) and Flores and Corvo those with the lowest index (0.1).
The dental caries, is 0.2 in children aged six years, 2.1 to twelve years and from 3.6 to fifteen years. In children or young age of six, twelve and fifteen years, the highest rate of tooth decay occurs on the island of Corvo, while the lowest is in Santa Maria (six and fifteen years) and Pico (12 years). According to the study, the prevalence of children free of dental caries in permanent teeth in the Azores is 44.9 percent.
The conclusions of the study recommended the creation of a regional study of the determination of fluoride in drinking water, covering 154 towns in the Azores. The document, according to Domingos Cunha, will be delivered to all schools and health units Azores.

Saturday 10 October 2009

256. Dental checks are available for pregnant women and elderly

The first dentist to check pregnant was issued on 2 June. The oral health program will have 21 million euros for the first year, and also pregnant women will also cover elderly people in need.
The users will be able to choose any doctor on the list of professional members of its health region. So far 43 have been issued checks dentist.
"It will be prescribed by the family doctor. In the elderly it is necessary that they are entitled to the supplement supportive, "said Ana Jorge, Minister of Health, the issue of symbolic first dentist to check a pregnant woman, the Health Center of Olivais (Lisbon). On occasion, the Minister of Health will take that are not made from savings accounts to the National Health Service (SNS).
According to Ana Jorge, a program of oral health in the public sector would require "a very expensive investment, because it is necessary to install equipment and put many professionals in the health centers. "Putting exclusively in the public oral health program would require a huge effort for the program be extended equally," he added.
The Ministry of Health ensures that all health centers in the country may provide the dentist checks. The program provides for ceilings of 120 euros for pregnant women, divided into three checks and the completion of treatments can be completed within 60 days after delivery. For the elderly the maximum value is 80 euros and an estimated more than 250 euros for the placement of dental prostheses.
Cristina Sambado
RTP

Thursday 8 October 2009

255. Dentists complain oral health program in schools

The program of oral health promotion in schools, the Directorate General of Health want to evaluate before proceeding with dental checks for children, invites criticism of dentists who advocate a reorganization of the project.
Reviews were forwarded to the bank of the Congress of Dentists Association, held in November, one of the representatives of the Dental Association in the group of analysis of the oral health, Paulo Rompante. The basic and essential step of this program is to promote the daily brushing at school, which is not being done in most institutions.
"As the program is designed only entitled to access to the other stages of the program, schools that promoted daily brushing, no program works is that brushing is not promoted," commented the expert. The argument advanced by some schools that are unable to promote oral health can not be accepted among dentists. "If a school is unable to do this, then almost better to close the school ', it Frias Bulhosa, another element of the Order who participated in the analysis group has made proposals to the Minister of Health.
Especially because, says the expert, to brush your teeth is not sufficient that students have a toothbrush and toothpaste, and the use of water to be dispensed with. Along with brushing, the schools included in the program of oral health promoting fluoride administration every two weeks between their students.
After this, should be selected children who must put sealant on the teeth - a plastic material that is used to prevent cavities. But again there are flaws in the program conducted in schools, dentists say. This is because, before the sealant, it is necessary to detect whether the child is already developing tooth decay, which should be done by a dentist, which is not present at school.
"The selection of children is not always done by qualified professionals. Currently it is most often done by school health teams, which often do not even have a dental hygienist, "argued Paulo Rompante. The doctor stressed that caries is a disease "infectious and contagious', the diagnosis should be made by the dentist.
For the doctor Frias Bulhosa, one of the shortcomings of oral health has to do with the lack of follow-up. "A child of four, five or six years you can get in a given year in the program, but then again not being monitored. The child is not followed in subsequent years, "he lamented.
* * *
Anyway, if that is how the state treats children in the country ...

Monday 5 October 2009

254. The oral health status of children is not what it should be

Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo (BRAZIL) - "The oral health status of children is not what it should be." This is the opinion of the dentist Janaina Costa Tavares de Castro, who holds a social work orientation to children in a private school in the district of Cesar Moreira in Pindamonhangaba. Graduated in the Faculty of Dentistry Pindamonhangaba, Susan has improved in the field of dentistry. She believes that often the poor oral oral health of many children is due to lack of time and information of many parents.
"Today, many mothers work outside and have this difficulty to supervise. The child ends up with the maid or even in kindergarten. And is not the same thing. It is difficult to perceive the existence of cavities, "says the dentist. For this reason, she says that the performance of dentists in schools would be of fundamental importance to improving the oral health of children. In the city of Guaratinguetá, for example, she said that many public schools already have dental.
In the opinion of Janaina, it is important for parents to do the monitoring of brushing and flossing. She said this work should take place through interaction between parents, teachers and professionals in dentistry. The specific work done in school Moreira César, Susan is doing a survey of oral health status of children. But, she said, the first screening, in which 70 children were, the number of cavities was found than expected.
"Let's do this survey, the school meet, interact with parents and, through reports and seminars, show cases and be giving a warning," he said. The professional warning that the appearance of white spots on the teeth of children is not always perceived. "These spots are already the first manifestation of decay and sometimes goes unnoticed," justified.
Janaina believes that a joint effort between dentists, schools and parents is of paramount importance for the prevention, helping to reduce the oral problems.
* * *
Attention is also drawn to the need to conduct surveys of the student population in Portugal. Detecting problems early can prevent these tragedies in the future of many children and young people. When is screening at national level?

253. Bad breath? See causes and how to

What is halitosis?
Halitosis means bad breath, a problem that many people face eventually. It is estimated that approximately 40% of the population suffers or will suffer from chronic halitosis at some time in your life. There are many causes of this evil, including inadequate oral hygiene (lack of proper brushing and lack of flossing), gingivitis, to certain foods such as garlic or onion, tobacco and alcohol products, dry mouth (caused by certain drugs for disorders and lower production of saliva during sleep), systemic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, problems with the liver and kidneys.
How do I know if I have halitosis?
One way to know if you have bad breath is to cover your mouth and nose with your hand, exhale and feel the breath. Another way is to ask someone you trust as is your breath. But do not forget that many people have this problem when they wake up in the morning, as a result of lower production of saliva during the night, allowing acid and other substances to deteriorate inside the mouth. Measures such as brushing teeth, and tongue, and floss before bed and get up often help eliminate morning breath.
How to prevent bad breath?
Avoid foods that cause bad breath and note the following: brush thoroughly twice daily and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles that accumulate every day (brushing your tongue also helps reduce bad breath) remove the denture before bed, and clean it well before putting it in the morning and visit your dentist regularly to make a review and cleaning of your teeth.
If your bad breath persists even after a good brushing and flossing, see your dentist, as this may be an indication of the existence of a more serious problem. Only the dentist can tell if you have gingivitis, dry mouth or excess plaque, which are the probable causes of bad breath.
Copyright 2007 Colgate-Palmolive

Thursday 1 October 2009

252. Oral health more intensified

Pedro Avelino (Rio Grande do Norte), BRAZIL - The Department of Health Pedro Avelino intensified investment in promoting oral health among children and adolescents. The project seeks to create a generation healthier than before, to grow free from the need to make dental care more serious or even extract teeth for lack of care.
The council, which is administered by Mayor Sergio Cadó, is promoting an overhaul in the health sector. Investments also include improvements to the municipal hospital, in care of the program strategy of Family Health. The city maintains a service consultation and dental procedures varied across sues clinics and offices distributed at headquarters and in other communities.
But the project geared towards the public school proposes to establish a more direct relationship between dentist and patient, through a range of visits to public schools. The initiative is made possible through a partnership between the municipal education and health. According to the municipal court of public health, all the teaching units administered by the city are included in the project, which has a lineup consisting of lectures on oral hygiene and actions such as applying fluoride and toothbrushing.
The main goal is to secure the education of students need to brush your teeth always after each meal and before bed, as well as flossing and visiting your dentist regularly. The project seeks to attack, locally, a culture of neglect of oral health, traditionally dominant on the inside. According to the Municipal Health Department, investment in oral health in schools comes at a time when the city directs resources to other projects in the area of dental care.
One goal this year is to buy a mobile dental office to serve mainly the rural population. The equipment will be used for dentists to serve residents in communities farther from the center without the need to move residents, a factor that discourages people time to seek treatment.
* * *
And for us here in Portugal, who takes the responsibility to reach those who can not go to a consultation? How's Oral Health Program School for these schools across the country?

Monday 28 September 2009

251. Taking care of your child smile

Brushing (1) - You should always brush your teeth after eating - a ritual that must be repeated at least three to four times per day, from the birth of the first tooth. Supervise brushing the child - and even the teenager - until she has control of the procedure and know how to use dental floss.
At about six years, on average, can be introduced using mouthrinse. Then you can start making a lifestyle complete with brush, floss and rinse with a brush-to finish. The wire should be used at least twice a day. And remember: the largest and most effective example is the parents. Therefore, not enough to have them, you need to do well.
Brushing (2) - also need to brush their teeth after snacks out of hours. This guidance applies to all sweet and savory. It is very important to maintain the habit and the frequency of brushing.
It is easier when the child has a routine to eat: come at the right time and right away, do the cleaning. In the morning, on waking, the ideal is to brush your teeth, take breakfast and go back to brush.
Injuries - If your child has suffered a fall and lose a tooth, attention, just join the tooth by holding the crown (the part that is apparent in the mouth, not the root) and dip it, preferably in a glass of milk. If you can not milk at the time, so please use the order, saline, saliva (put the tooth that fell under his tongue) or water. Make a compress with gauze in place and look for the dentist immediately, so try a reimplantation.
Never wrap the tooth in a cloth or napkin, which would make him lose the fibers. Even if it is dirty, leave it as is. If the strike did not make the tooth fall, but only the left half loose in the mouth, do not try to pull it out. Plug it back in place and go to the office. Keep calm, in both situations is essential.

Wednesday 23 September 2009

250. Autonomous Region of Madeira: Twelve complaints against dentists

The regional delegation of the Dental Association sent recently a complaint from one user to the Council of Ethics that Order. This was the only case recorded this year so far, according to Gil Alves, chairman of Madeira.
This year, Gil Alves has received 12 complaints, a result that keeps the meetings, all on Thursdays, at the head of regional delegation, with users who will complain of any act of a dentist. That charge states that most people just want to be clarified and cases are easily resolved between the parties in conflict. "This year, only one case became more serious, which meant that it may guide to the Council of Ethics of OM, in Oporto.
Last year, throughout the year, there were 16 requests for reunion, by users. Of those cases resulted in two cases sent to the Council of Ethics. Moreover, Gil Alves announced that the card is going to identify dentists Portuguese is held by professionals Madeira, no later than the end of June. The first copies will be sent along this month.
The representative of dentists Madeira explains that the purpose of the Order was to identify, to the user, the professionals who can carry and use the title of doctor-dentist. This is because, as noted, there are "some curious" that do not have any certifications and, especially on the mainland, are engaged in the profession illegally. To these we must add the orthodontist, persons certified, but can not provide medical interventions. There are still considering, the dentists, licensed physicians, registered as doctors.
It was to "separate the waters" that the OM has chosen a card, to be placed on clothing care, which enables users to more easily identify physicians and protect them from people with no qualifications to do so.
Gil Alves, questioned by JM stressed that the last two years there have been cases of persons found to exercise the profession illegally. It recalls that, in Madeira and the Azores, any doctor of medical dentistry is at the beginning, the Board inspected the area where it is located and also by the delegate, within the same county.

249. In the Azores, about 18 thousand children with oral health newsletter

The regional coordinator of the Program for Promotion of Oral Health, Ricardo Cabral, said the agency Lusa that the project, which started in 2006, proceeded in a "positive" and that includes the nine islands of the archipelago. He explained the dentist, the newsletter is intended for children and young people up to 18 years and can be requested free of charge in 16 health centers in the region.
"The aim in future is that the entire population may have an individual medical oral health," said the expert, who represents the Azores in the National Oral Health. With the creation of this document, the Azorean executive intended to provide the Regional Health Service (SRS) of an instrument for registration and consultation for health promotion and prevention of oral diseases in the islands.
For Ricardo Cabral, this document represents a further contribution to the oral health of the Azores, which together with other awareness-raising and information already held, has allowed the public awareness. The dentist assured that, although slow, the results of this study have emerged, pointing to the example of the decay rates of children in the Azores, which in 2000 were 4.5 percent and in 2005 moved to 2,1 per cent.
Citing the findings of the latest study of oral health carried out in the archipelago, Ricardo Cabral said that between 2000 and 2005, there was a "health gain" at the level of real rates of tooth decay of children of 2.4 percent. The percentage of children caries-free six years of age, the region has fallen from 30.8 percent in 2000 to 37.3 percent in 2005, and the World Health Organization recommends that, in 2020, to be achieved 80 percent, he said.
For the chairman of the Azorean the Dental Association, Artur Lima, the Bulletin Single Oral Health is an "important contribution" to the promotion of health are alert to difficulties in implementing the project on the island of Faial. Artur Lima said to the Lusa that, in Faial, no dentists in the public sector, and the distribution of newsletters has been done by teams of nursing. "The six dentists who work in Faial exercise all private practice, because the Government never opened positions to the public," said Artur Lima.
In the Azores carrying 74 dental professionals, covering all the islands of the archipelago. Contacted by Lusa, the regional director of Health, Teresa Brito, assured that the situation of Faial is to be resolved not by the unwillingness of guardianship, but due to legal issues. "The hiring of employees first requires the unfreezing of vacancies and the holding of a tender," said Teresa Brito, for whom "the solution to this gap is expected to reach the short term." He added that legal procedures are not consistent "with the urgency of the situation, but noted that the Azorean government has done" work out "for providing all health centers with new equipment and materials essential to the practice of dentistry.
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A direct question to the Minister of Health: For when the Bulletin Individual Health for all children and adolescents in Portugal?

Sunday 20 September 2009

248. 10 tips to keep your smile forever young

1. Brush your teeth at least twice / three times a day, preferably after meals and before bedtime;
2. Use a brush of appropriate size, soft and with a small head to prevent injuries to the teeth and gums;
3. Look always use a toothpaste with 1,000 to 1,500 ppm of fluoride;
4. Avoid brushing your teeth horizontally. Place the toothbrush slightly tilted in the passage by the teeth, so they do not wear down over time;
5. Use dental floss daily before brushing to remove food debris and bacteria are the spaces between teeth and between them and the gums;
6. Follow the recommendations of your healthcare professional the use of oral elixir to rinse;
7. Try to keep your teeth and clean, especially at the gum line, preventing plaque and tartar;
8. Make a regular dental review, preferably of 6 in 6 months, and an oral check-up at least once during the year;
9. Maintain a balanced diet and try to replace the sweets with more nutritious foods such as cheese, fruit or vegetables;
10. If you have sensitive teeth visit a dentist because it may be an indicator of decay, a fractured tooth.

Thursday 17 September 2009

247. Support for young

Dental checks in the amount of 80 euros per year to distribute the children from three to 16 years. This is the proposal of the Medical Association (OMD) to extend the program of oral health to young people in 2009.
The idea will be today (May 5) discussed with the Health Minister, Ana Jorge, a meeting to evaluate the start of the initiative that provides for the first time, oral health care for users of the National Health Service (SNS in portuguese) - the Portuguese are treated by private physicians, but the State ensures the payment. This year limit will be for pregnant women and the elderly. But the idea is to extend it gradually to other segments of the population.
There are now a program of oral health for children. Encompasses 65 thousand between six and seven years and ten and 12. But the president of the OMD, Orlando Monteiro da Silva considers that the 'ideal' is to use the change in the model and move towards a wider track, 'continuing care and counseling that will be provided to pregnant women'. If the authority agrees with the age range will be 1.3 million users per year. The value of checks advocated by dentists would be equal to that which is given to older people - 80 million, five million more than the current value.
It is not enough to handle everything - is out, for example, the placement of braces - but would be an important step, explains the President of the OMD. The question is whether there will be availability of funds from the Ministry of Health for an extension that could cost 104 million euros.
In the case of pregnant women and elderly people, everything is ready for the first dental checks are distributed later this month. All that is needed to complete the testing computer program to record the treatments and direct users of health centers to clinics that have joined the program.
Already signed up 2300 dentists and dentists from all over the country (the Alentejo is the area under accession). Today is an information session for professionals interested in the School of Dental Medicine of Lisbon.
The order gave rise to the oral health program also provides that local authorities can play a role in care. How? Funding to extend the consultation to other groups that are not covered, or increasing the value of dental checks. Orlando Monteiro da Silva says that dozens of municipalities have contacted the OMD, showing interest in joining. But the lack of available funds has acted as a barrier to the completion of negotiations.
In addition to the treatments, the program will allow you to take a radiograph of the oral health status of the Portuguese, as are appraisals of the result.
Comments:
-Some kind soul can tell me where to go get the vouchers? Is that my daughter is about to do 17 years and seen the case from there now can walk with the rotten teeth;
-Another inequality of this government ... the other between 16 and 65 are not Portuguese or need to go to the dentist;
-Oral health in Venezuela is free and very good. Every time I'm more ashamed of my country, where is that Portugal will arrive?;
-This is just another maneuver 'cosmetic' of this government. Like previous governments, we are contributing to a third world country. It's a shame the state of oral health of elderly people and children in this country. 80 per year! Only by this government people on the street, and also repeated until we installed the chaos and they rethink the welfare of the people is that it followed. Shame on you;
-This is just another patch and a sweet for a toothless people.