222. Remodeling in Government: Change in Health shows that Prime Minister was aware of the widespread revolt "

António Arnaut, creator of the National Health Service (SNS), was now satisfied with the replacement of the minister of supervision, whereas the Prime Minister was aware of the widespread revolt against the closure of health units. Stating that "no matter whether people change", António Arnaut told the Lusa agency that "the important thing is to change policies."

António Arnaut, who was deputy and Minister of Social Affairs, is the first signatory of a national petition launched last week for the changes introduced by the government of José Sócrates at the SNS are discussed by the Assembly of the Republic. In your opinion, José Sócrates, while in most of the executive, "swept the tested", paving the way for adjustments in health policy towards a "return to parent" of the SNS as a service "general, universal and free, dedicated the Constitution of the Republic. "It seems that the government want to change health policy," stressed.

The founder of the National Health Service, former Grand Master of Grand Orient Lusitano - Portuguese Freemasonry, said that Socrates decided to replace by Correia de Campos, at the Health, in response to "an unsustainable national outcry against the measures sector.

Ana Jorge, the new Health Minister chosen by the Prime Minister, "must now return to the humanist philosophy" of the SNS and "revoke some of the positions taken" by Correia de Campos, called.

RTP / Lusa

221. Oral health: new national program in place this month

The Order of Doctors Dentists (OMD) it is confident that by the end of January, will be put in place new measures of the National Health. A term that the Directorate General of Health prefers not subscribe.

In statements to the TSF, the president of the Association of Medical Dental, Orlando Monteiro da Silva, revealed that, "waiting is the order of the Minister of Health, which is essential to put in motion, in legal terms, this program, what should happen, in a quite realistic, at the end of January. This term is not, however, subscribed for by the oral health of the Directorate General of Health (DGS), Rui draft, which says, in statements to the TSF, do not dare "to give any time limit at this time. What I can say is that there are explicit orders to speed up this process possible.

The officer also revealed that by the end of the week, the time may be defined for the entry into force of a program announced some two months by the Prime Minister in Parliament, as main beneficiaries and that the elderly, pregnant women and children.

Portugal Diário

220. The role of the LBV (Legion of Good Will) in community health (I)

Community involvement: giving without receiving

It was on 31 August, the International Day of Solidarity. Considered one of the fundamental values for human relations in this century, within the medical community dentistry it appears there. Good examples are there.

Mary (fictitious name) runs through the courtyard of one of the centers in support of the Legion of Good Will (LBV), in Porto, with more than two dozen friends. Try not to be caught by the 'bugs' that can hurt the teeth. Run, jink and cries of some wild game, as you escape from colleagues who try to catch.

"The game of the bacteria is one of the activities organized by volunteers of the" Happy Smile ", which runs the Port institutions, promoting hygiene and oral health. With just over six years, Mary still does not understand very well what is the purpose of all this apparatus. "My mom says I have milk teeth and do not need to wash, because sooner or later, will fall. This is an example of the community intervention is so important.

Portugal has high levels of dental caries among young people, to the 'lack of a prevention policy by the authorities that over the years have forwarded the idea of the dentist as curator of a disease and not as preventive. Assertion Cassiano Scapini, dentist who invests part of his time in volunteering.

"We can not be hostage to office. We must, rather, take our commitments to the community ', argues with conviction. "In the twenty-first century is no longer felt to think, only in dental rehabilitation. Our role is increasingly inform and accompany the client to avoid the appearance of diseases' states. The professional not conceive its function without devoting several hours of the day the 'social work'. Because, only then, he believes, can change the landscape of oral health in Portugal that believes, is "catastrophic." However, suggests, "to put the question should be: what role in society in the dentist?

LBV - Legião da Boa Vontade

219. Healthy mouth starts the 2008 campaign

Health Directorate of the Municipality of Colón (Argentina), through the Service Center of Preventive Dentistry and in conjunction with Maternal and Child Dental Columbus Circle, reported the continuation of the oral license to "Healthy Mouth," from the implemented 2000 for all schools in the Columbus game ... This program will be implemented only to students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th of EGB.

Like the previous year, the student will concur to the dentist of their choice (private or hospital), who find the mouth in terms of good oral health grant a certificate of good oral statement, which will be changed in the Preventive Center Materno Kids (CPMI) for an official certificate with seal legitimized hospital. Otherwise, the student must receive dental treatment until discharge, given by the professional acting.

All procedures and consultations are treated in the CPMI (calle 51 e / 10 and 11). Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 07 to 12 hours and start date is February 11, 2008.

Colon Doce

* * *

An example (Argentina) where it is compulsory for children and young people have an official certificate of oral health. The attention of the Minister of Education and Minister of Health.

218. Barcelos: Health Center awaiting green light from the Government to proceed with consultations in oral health

The population of Barcelos will have to continue to wait to have consultations in the oral health of local health centers. The idea advanced by the Director of Health of Barcelos in September last year, has not left the paper. Manuel Vilas Boas believes, however, that 2008 will be a year of progress in this area.

The Director of Health Center of Barcelos assured the Voice of Minho which has knowledge of the intention to make available to the population of these consultations dentistry, but admitted that now lack the "green light" by the Ministry of Health "The level of the sub-region of Health of Braga has been spoken and ventilated the arrival here of consultations in oral health and it is not out of choice. 2008 will be the key year for this because the Ministry of Health entered this year in two areas: the fight against obesity and oral health, therefore, believe that 2008 will be a year of progress in this area, "stressed the controller.

Manuel Vilas Boas believes that the creation of a consultation of oral and dental health would be beneficial for the population and the Ministry of Health itself, because through this agreement with CESPU - a private education and health services - the Health Center would only, which pay for teachers of dentists. "We pass the area, a private institution mounts all the equipment and consumables, we would have to pay only a few hours per month to teachers of dentists who are here," informed, adding that users of the National Health Service who had access to that consultation "pay only a moderate rate equal to a normal consultation with general practitioners."

However, the population of Barcelos will have to continue to await the decision of Correia de Campos and will also have to continue to use the private sector dentists to treat their mouths.

Jornal Regional

217. Visual screening for about three thousand children of Albufeira

The Municipality of Albufeira is promoting, this year, the visual screening of children pre-school and 1st cycle of basic education of the county. The measure is included in the Plan of Activities for Health Promotion in schools, implemented by the municipality. To promote a healthy development and good school performance of children.

In January and February will be tracked children from garden-of-childhood, and the second stage, the first cycle of basic education, a total of 2,494 children. This is an action in partnership with the optical, making the technicians of Optometry, and the spaces where the surveys are conducted.
Região Sul
* * *

Another initiative for child health, in this case in the school environment. But as important as vision, also the oral health of children is fundamental to their well-being and personal development. So call the City of Albufeira that incorporates the strength of oral health in the health promotion program in the school environment.

216. The role of the LBV (Legion of Good Will) in community health (II)

Cassiano Scapino, medical

Coming from Brazil 18 years ago, eventually install urn office in Porto, but it never arrived. Staunch advocate of a different position within the class to which it belongs, believes that the medical profession of dentistry is dedicated to the 'monitoring' and not for the 'treatment' of oral diseases. "It is important to be beside the children, always involving the family, because it is often necessary to explain to parents some concepts of oral health to ignore. 'Boot teeth has always been regarded as inevitable in the minds of older people.

Cassiano Scapin summarizes thus a sentence, the importance it gives to the work you do as a volunteer in various activities that have participated in 'volunteering is a good thermometer to change the emotions of the trader. As it is inserted in that context, will feel different too. Believe therefore that change is essential and urgent: "if we have so many needs, knowledge is the best weapon to change the current scenario. Thus, argues, the transformation must occur within the class should not fear a new philosophy of work, because the dentist will always exist, just with a different attitude: "not to treat but to prevent '.

LBV - Legião da Boa Vontade

215. Kissing can cause caries

It would be exaggeration to call caries of "disease" and said it is "contagious." According to the dentist Marcelo Rezende, director of Smiling Dental Care, not all bacteria found in the mouth are responsible for caries, which is an injury. But a person infected with the bacteria of decay can house thousands of other microbes in the mouth. Therefore, all hygiene is poor and kiss may be the primary means of disease transmission.

"Certainly, some care basic hygiene can prevent health complications, including gingivitis, herpes and mononucleosis - known as a 'disease of the kiss,'" says Rezende. "The bacteria that causes cavities, called Streptococcus mutans, can also be transmitted to divide the food using the same cutlery," warns Laurence R. Rifkin, dentist from California.

The bacterium is usually in the dental plaque of infected people. A simple saliva test can detect the bacteria and determine whether the person is at risk of developing cavities. "A toothbrush, the use of dental floss and other oral hygiene are essential to reduce the amount of bacteria that adhere to surfaces of the teeth," says Rifkin. Application of fluoride in the office is also a powerful weapon.

Among the people most at risk of developing caries are cavities that were in the previous twelve months, the diabetic, the hypertensive patients, those with a lower flow of saliva and those whose immune system is deficient.

The dental surgeon warns that babies are also major risk of contamination. Rezende says maternal habits, such as the pap show the baby with the same spoon to serve with the meal is one of the most common mistakes. "A mere teaspoon contaminated by a person infected by the bacteria of decay can house thousands of microbes. If we can keep a child without contact with the bacteria of decay until she completed nine years, the chances of ever having a cavity in life are 90%, "says the specialist.

Maracaja News

214. 10 reasons to go (regularly) to the dentist

Prevent - Through the examination of clinical and professional guidelines is easier to prevent caries, periodontal diseases, thus avoiding future problems in care of the teeth and expenses on long treatments. A regular check up it that the problems are accumulating;

Keep teeth clean and clear - Even with a good cleaning done with brushing teeth and tongue, the use of dental floss, anti-septic mouth and tongue brush, to ensure the non-formation of plaque in caries, a visit to the dentist is vital to answer your question and see if doing all the procedures accurate. Already there are many different techniques to lighten the stains in the teeth. Your dentist will perform the treatment indicated for you. Are techniques that range from raspagens and polishing by the use of laser;

Lose the fear - Dentist is no longer synonymous with pain. Today, the dental treatment is very effective, fast and painless with the technology available in the clinics;

Not having toothache - The best solution for the toothache is prevention. Periodic visits to the dentist, even without the presence of any symptom, can detect the problem early, ensuring the success of treatment;

Avoid the bad breath - A large percentage of the causes of bad breath is mouth. Brush your teeth and tongue is essential to maintain good breath. Visit the dentist twice a year can avoid unpleasant situation;

Prevent cancer of the mouth - Regular examinations help to identify small lesions that if untreated, may develop into some form of cancer;

Maintain the health of the body - A mouth and carefully reflect on the health of the entire body. A bad chewing or even a bite from wrong can cause a headache to stomach problems;

Prevent heart disease - Almost nobody knows, but some bacteria present in the oral environment can attack the heart. Bacterial endocarditis, a type of cardiac problem due to infectious processes, can originate in the oral cavity and cause the proliferation of harmful bacteria to the body;

Regain or maintain their self-esteem - Maintaining a healthy smile and smooth is a good way for you to be okay with it. Like most of your appearance, you'll be safer to face life;

Knowledge of news - Today in all media leaving many reports on the new dental technologies, some serious and others are proven a little more than a marketing move, so it is important to have a person with knowledge in the area and in whom you trust to get all your questions.

Itu.com.br

213. ESPINHO: City is a reference to oral health

With more than 20 minutes late, Joaquim Barbosa, director of Health Center of Espinho, initiated the presentation of the Oral Health Program for the academic year 2007/2008. The director began by talking about the major changes in health in recent times and the satisfactory results of the Oral Health program since its inception, adding that the major objective of this program is the fulfillment of national and European targets.

The Oral Health program involves several entities of the municipality of Espinho, including the Health Center, the Lions Club, the various municipalities in Espinho, several private dentists, schools of the county and the School of Dental Medicine, University of Porto.

The Oral Health program includes three major phases: the cleaning, screening and treatment. In the cleaning phase, the objective is, according to the coordinator of the program, Margarida Albuquerque, "teach children to wash their teeth properly," offering them further, and brush folder. At this stage of cleaning is still frequent sessions are organized for clarification wishing involve "not only students but also teachers and parents."

This year the program includes screening and treatment of three types of problems related to oral health in children of pre-primary, first and second cycle. Among the diseases screened include the caries, the dental fluorosis and periodontal disease or periodontitis. The last, but perhaps the most important phase of the program is the treatment, carried out since 2001. Last year, the Oral Health program dealt with 336 children and 16 other state aid and with the benefit of the municipality.

Margarida Albuquerque made clear that "in general terms, the work is good" and sees it when I found that "children of Espinho, in comparison with the rest of the country are much better. The dream of 18 years ago is worth it. " Since 2001, the Oral Health covers the children of the 2nd cycle, and since 2004 the pre-school because the program initially included only the students of first cycle. The values of the Oral Health Program in 2007 are, according to the coordinator of the project, "very satisfactory".

Over the years, the value of CPO, the index of dental caries, has declined. So, in the second cycle, is 1.3 percent, while the national average is around 2.95 percent. For 2020, the European target is to achieve a rate of less than a CPO. However, Espinho is not far away that goal and still 13 years to get there.

In European terms, Espinho is also well placed at the level of oral health, because the target set in Europe in 2007 proposed that only 50 percent of children entering school with dental caries. Espinho is very near that amount, with caries detected in 54% of the pre-primary.

The discrepancy between the values obtained in the town of Espinho and the rest of the country is again evident when discussing the level of caries in the first cycle. While the program of Oral Health espinhense CPO recorded a rate of 0.7 per cent of the permanent dentition, the national figure is between 2 and 3 percent.

As the screening of fluorosis and periodontal diseases, there is no national or European studies with which to compare the values of Espinho. However, the values of fluorosis suggests that in pre-primary, five percent of children have problems of excess fluoride in the first round six per cent in the second cycle and 28 per cent. Already the periodontal diseases such as gingivitis and plaque, have a total of 28 percent of all children screened.

The first step in the birth of the Oral Health Program has been in the early 90s when Dulce Santos was invited to present a lecture at the Golf Beach Hotel in Espinho, in the context of dentistry. The idea that Dulce Santos had long ago was promoting a program of oral health to children. At the time, according to former secretary of the Portuguese Association of Oral Health, "a series of happy circumstances created an environment for the continued involvement of the program of oral health." There was, first, "an educational interest," but to achieve them, Dulce Santos adds, was "required the collaboration of all entities."

The demand was increasing and the "results were always better." Margarida Albuquerque agrees that the program is now very well organized and to ensure its proper functioning, "the work can not be done without the cooperation of everyone." The coordinator of the program believes that the greater involvement of parents was essential because often the teachers, "who are more interested in the fund, not exploit the opportunity provided by the program" and it lacks many of the consultations scheduled times for children, not thus continue the screening and the treatments themselves.

Jornal Regional

212. Parents know that dental loss drugs can cause

Research shows that most of those responsible does not make oral hygiene in their children after the use of drugs and can not establish a clear relation of cause and effect exists in this association. Many liquid pediatric medicines have sugar in its composition in order to mask the unpleasant taste of some active ingredients. The pleasant taste, however, just hiding the damage that these drugs can cause to the oral health of children, as their frequent intake can cause cavities.

Taking into account that parents act as responsible for the administration and care related to the use of children's medicines, Beatriz Neves team and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro determined to assess the perceptions and attitudes of leaders on the cariogenic and erosive potential of liquid medications for children. Interviews were carried out on the association of drug use in children with dental caries and erosion, and the care with oral hygiene after ingestion. According to article published in the edition of September / October 2007 the journal Science & Public Health, "in general, those unaware of sugar added to many foods and drinks, including children's liquid medicines, and when recognized the existence of sugar, not identify the type used to sweeten the pediatric formulations, and even its concentration, facts that can induce behaviors that contribute to the development of caries disease."

(...)

According to the researchers, "despite the drugs responsible deem sweet and relate your use of the presence of caries and defects in tooth structure, most of these does not perform oral hygiene on their children after the use of these drugs and do not establish clearly the relationship of cause and effect exists in this association. " Thus, experts warn of the importance of health professionals advise those responsible for the presence of sugar and low pH of these formulations child, taking into account the need to manage them during meals and preferably before the child sleep, and should be followed for proper cleaning of the oral cavity.

"Whereas the disease is likely to caries prevention, the pediatricians are in ideal conditions and to alert parents and guardians to provide information and guidance on the risks of continued use of sugar products and the development of dental caries, when no adequate posterior oral hygiene, stress in the article.

Última Hora News

211. The role of the LBV (Legion of Good Will) in community health (III)

Educating for change

It is a question that may pose a few themselves. The Medical Care International (AMI), for example, has only register a Stomatologist doctor who has participated in campaigns, volunteering within that body and the association "Doctors of the World" does not even have names in the professional spectrum.

Still, there are various activities to which dozens of doctors dentists eventually join. Only that this is a reality that there is often. The National Health System (SNS in Portuguese) to not include this class, requires that the dentist is forced to operate in the private sector, and so, or he is in office or not income to live, "explains Jacinto Durães. The manager of the Oral Health Clinic, the University Fernando Pessoa, acknowledges that "in general, the voluntary culture is weak, compared to what happens abroad. And by the solidarity among peers does not seem to exist. "Many thought we would be competitors' secret, for criticism he received after launching the project coordinator.

Cassiano Scapin explains that this attitude within the class is created once in the Faculty. "The education in Portugal is based on a philosophy that is not based on prevention. Scientifically, it is known that the curative care does not result in an improvement of needs. Only prevention. And, this being a public health issue, you must change the education. Perhaps, then, have more professionals to participate in projects of social, believes the Brazilian, living in Portugal for 18 years. The University must be open to the community ', summarizes. While recognizing the importance of volunteering, Cassiano Scapin believes that the discussion is much more profound. We have to draw to within the community, these issues have to do with how the faculty teach. While it does not, continue to have, only, pioneering initiatives.

LBV - Legião da Boa Vontade

210. Oral health in the Budget 2008 but far from the needs

The oral health came first priority as assumed by the Government in the report of the state budget for 2008 (OE2008) but still falls short of proposals made by the working group appointed by Correia de Campos to prepare the way of a policy for the sector . In a country without public provision of dental and where about half the population has no access to it for obvious lack of purchasing power, the inclusion of the topic in the budget is perceived as positive by the Order of Doctors Dentists (OMD). The report of OE2008 limited to advance the oral health as "priority area, particularly focused on preventing disease so that some segments of the population, particularly children, pregnant and elderly people with low incomes, have healthy teeth."

Certain is that this brief statement of intent not abides all the recommendations of the working group, which Correia de Campos has on his desk since June. Experts suggest the provision of care to more groups, including diabetics.

Jornal de Notícias

209. The importance of fluoride

The ideal age to start the applications of topical fluoride is around two and a half years to three years, when the child is completing the deciduous dentition. Such application must be performed by pediatric dentists.

Parents of children know that a beautiful teeth is essential for living in society. Fluorine is one of the major actors in the reduction of dental caries which is an infectious disease associated with other methods of prevention, such as a balanced diet, brushing to the thong, application of sealant, and very important to water fluoride.

The preventive effect of fluoride is not only caries in children, but also in adults. The carious lesions can be halted by the local application of fluoride, and increase the tendency for remineralization of initial caries. The fluoride strengthens the enamel and dentin, reducing their solubility in acid medium, decrease the ability to adhere to teeth by microorganisms, and have antimicrobial effect, reducing the ability of plaque to produce acid.

Agora MS

208. Intervention of the Minister of Health in the closing session of the XVI Congress of Dentists Doctors in Lisbon

Intervention of the Minister of Health in the closing session

of the XVI Congress of Dentists Doctors in Lisbon (23-11-2007)

* * *

President of the Order of Doctors Dentist, Orlando Monteiro da Silva, President of the Scientific Committee, António Felino, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Marcus Veiga, honorable Congressmen:

It is with great honor and pleasure to participate in the closing session of the XVI Congress of the Order of Doctors and Dentists in the signing of the Protocol of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Medical Association of Dentists in the Congress Center of Lisbon. This is the main scientific and social event of Dental Medicine and a major medical events held in Portugal, with the presence of professionals and students and is a meeting point between the doctors and dentists foreign Portuguese.

The main lines of action of health policy defined in the program of the XVII Constitutional Government is the reform of primary health care, the reform of continuing care for the elderly and strengthening the sustainability of the SNS (National Health Service). Policies are based on health promotion and disease prevention but also based on proximity between the doctor and the citizen and improving the accessibility to health care.

Dentists, as regards the development of the National Oral Health Promotion, in the projects' Oral Health in Pregnant "and" Oral Health in Older People ', while the collaboration with the Oral Health of Children. On November 6, during the presentation of the State Budget for 2008 to Parliament, the Government announced new targets and new target groups in the area of Oral Health. They fall into a broader objective, the National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health, which I will announce:

The first objective of the National Program for Promotion of Oral Health is to expand access to priority groups and vulnerable to dental care, particularly children, pregnant women and the elderly with low incomes. Increasing access to all these groups is our first objective.

The second objective of the National Program for Promotion of Oral Health is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of oral diseases in these target groups (children, pregnant women and elderly) to knowledge and behaviors related to oral health are internalized early and progressively made over the life cycle. As regards children, the National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health in force, although now cover 60 000 children and youth, is inappropriate. We will review and restructure by the end of 2008, which is on the ground and assess the medical-dental contracted to children, to ensure equitable provision of oral health care based on simplified procedures and aimed at meeting of health needs, ensuring the best access to services and the gradual expansion to 80 000 children and young people.

Pregnant women represent a population group to warrant the attention of health professionals, as the hormonal changes characteristic of this period increases the frequency of periodontal diseases, which in turn, adversely affect oral hygiene practices and encourage the increased incidence and severity of dental caries. The program aims to cover 65 000 pregnant women.

Finally, with regard to the elderly, the aging process also contributes to a greater occurrence of oral health, including loss of dental pieces, creating a greater need for dental care. The program will cover up to an initial total of 90,000 elderly people with lower incomes (under 360 euros).

The National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health seeks to attain its objectives through contracting. The program builds on the implementation of a set of promotion, prevention and treatment of oral diseases, through simplified contracting these services, the evaluation has shown gains for the health of the population.

For children, the maximum value of services contracts per child treated, the age group of 3 to 16 years of age will be 75 euros. With regard to pregnant women was defined as the maximum contract for consultation and treatment is 120 euros, and three-dental checks.

As for the elderly, the government participates financially in 75% of the acquisition and repair of removable dental prostheses, up to 250 euros for the elderly beneficiaries of the solidarity supplement and are users of the National Health Service for these users are now to be covered charges for medical consultations for the implementation of prostheses and their subsequent refinements. The maximum value of consultations and treatments contracted for the elderly will be 80 euro to two-dentist checks a year.

In Portugal, according to the National Study of Prevalence of Dental Caries schooling in the Population (2000), presents the dental caries in children and youth an index of moderate severity, ie the number of teeth decayed, missing and filled (DMFT ) per child under 12 years of age is 2.95 and the percentage of children free of dental caries at 6 years is 33%. Another study by the World Health Organization (1999) presents the average values of teeth decayed, missing and filled per child of 1.5, with pronounced deviations between groups of different socioeconomic levels.

Although the figures have been steadily improving, these data reinforce the need to maintain the investment in this area, if we want to contribute to reducing inequalities in health. The European strategy and the targets for oral health, the WHO (World Health Organization), pointed out that in the year 2020 at least 80% (and we are only at 51%) of children under 6 years are free of caries, and to 12 years, the number of teeth decayed, missing and filled does not exceed the value of 1.5.

The strategy of the National Oral Health for 2008, with the curative aspects for the treatment of caries, it will be decisive for the resolution of dental problems that affect children and young people, pregnant women and elderly people. The Directorate General of Health, with support from WHO and the Order of Doctors Dentists will continue to study the prevalence of oral diseases to assess the prevalence of dental caries, the dental fluorosis and periodontal disease at 6, 12 and 15 years .

It is important to systematically evaluate the situation in Portugal in terms of behavior, in terms of habits of oral hygiene and nutrition. But not enough. A good program of dental health, in addition to substantially reduce the burden of dental disease to tens of thousands of children, pregnant women and elderly, has another goal whose importance should be highlighted: the reduction of social inequalities in oral health.

That this protocol will be signed today is a good agreement and a basis for future relationship between the Order of Dentists Doctors, dentists and doctors and the Ministry of Health The Government feels delighted to be able to contribute with this simplified protocol, based on trust and unbureaucratic between agents and providers, in order to respond promptly and effectively to citizens' needs and to help ensure the promotion of oral health and prevention of oral diseases through the National Health Service.

We want to be a method of easy access, free membership, with capacity utilization. In competitions for the purpose of the contract may apply for through an electronic form, the stomatologists doctors and dentists registered in their respective professional bodies, to engage in clinical or consulting licensed or have conditions of hygiene and health and safety properly supported for the year activity. The list of member physicians is available on the websites of the Ministry of Health (Health Portal) and the Regional Health Administrations (ARS) to facilitate access and choice for regional users. The bill also follow a simple procedure through the validation of check-dentist, who will be sent by the doctor attached to the ARS, with the necessary information, registered in the system.

The effort we made in fiscal responsibility to ensure the sustainability of the SNS now allows us to launch this program without jeopardizing the quality of healthcare. The National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health for 2008 is an innovative proposal of the SNS, delivering good accounts without jeopardizing the quality of healthcare. We have it in place during the first quarter of next year. Thanks to efficient management and strict, which is essential to the sustainability of the SNS, we will help increase public confidence in the National Health Service (SNS).

The role of the Order of Doctors Dentists credibility is key to the technical guidelines, ethics and professional ethics validation data of users covered by the program. But also improving the oral health of children, pregnant women and the elderly is the disclosure of the program in the community for greater involvement of parents, the local authority and the institutional partners that can support the promotion and prevention of oral health. Thank you already concedesteis support for this initiative, which falls in line with the pre-existing good cooperation.

We are committed to improving, so sustained, the oral health of the Portuguese, maintaining a health system more efficient, fairer, more flexible and targeted to the individual.

Portal do Governo

207. Doubts ...

Question: Good afternoon, by chance you know me say at the time of today left some information that the ministry prohibits the use of tooth brushes in the gardens of childhood for risk of contamination (exchange brushes)?

Answer: Hello, I am not aware of that fact. I suggest you consult the National Program for the Promotion of Oral Health, typing here.

206. Health: Dentists want oral health program extended to more than 400 thousand children

The Order of Dentists Doctors maintains that the program of oral health should cover between 400 and 500 thousand children, but the government provides only reach 80 thousand, which represents only a fifth of the desired. In statements to the agency Lusa in respect of the Doctors Dental Congress that begins Thursday in Lisbon, President Orlando Monteiro da Silva praised the measures recently announced by the Executive to promote the oral health of Portuguese, but requested an extension of the universe of people covered.

The measures were announced earlier this month by the Prime Minister that the Assembly of the Republic reported that "for the first time ever, the National Health Service would include a National Oral Health", which include children, elderly and pregnant.

Regarding children between seven and 12 years, there is now a program, which covers 60 thousand children and that the Government will extend to other 20 thousand. The program consists of three phases: oral health education (which teaches techniques, including brushing the teeth), caries prevention and intervention of medical and dental. This last phase provides medical consultations in two dentists, for which the State paid 75 euros.

"This program should be extended to cover between 400 and 500 thousand children," said the chairman of the Medical Association of Dentists, which also ask the Congress for the Minister of Health to increase the other of the population to support queries for oral health. Besides the children, the new measures go to the elderly and pregnant.

About 90 thousand seniors will benefit from two dental checks per year, while in the case of pregnant, the doctor of the family health center, to identify the pregnancy, in issuing a computer to check that the woman make a dental screening and two for any treatment throughout pregnancy. Dental checks, which can be used in private clinics, will be distributed to 65 thousand pregnant women followed up in health centers.

On Friday, during the Congress of Medical Dental, the Health Minister Correia de Campos, should sign a protocol with the Order to establish these programs. At the same time should be known the amounts allocated to these checks, which have not yet been announced.

RTP

205. About a thousand children integrate hygiene program free

The Leandra and Matilde, for only three years old, sat up today, in Matosinhos, for the first time in the dentist chair to "kill the worms" that insisted on them toothlet go, despite the practice of oral hygiene to maintain said. "I have three bugs in the teeth, because as sweet, but very few," said the small Leandra when questioned about the reason for your visit to the dentist. Sitting next to friend Matilde, quietly watching the consultation of colleagues, while waiting his turn.

Leandra, which ensured clean their teeth in school and at home, with "the help of the mother" was one of five children who today inaugurated a program of monitoring health and oral hygiene, promoted by a private clinic in collaboration with the Board of Town of Matosinhos. The initiative involves a total of about a thousand children from kindergartens and schools of the first cycle, public and private, the town of Matosinhos.

And so was also the first time, Andrew, five years, went to the dentist to try to solve a problem we already knew existed. According to the mother, the doctor advised the family had gone to the dentist, having detected cavities in the teeth of the child - and it was confirmed today - but "the query by the box took a year." "In my heart there is no health dentist, had to go to Leça," said Soares Sónia. Given this difficulty, and decided to take the opportunity to join this initiative, which it considers "a miracle" to whom, as she has no economic means.

This program offers free knowledge of oral health and prevention of consultations up to 12 years of age. From Monday to Wednesday five children will be assisted by medical dental clinic in the City Park, located in Matosinhos. Among other methods of evaluation will be assessed the risk of caries, index and control of bacterial plaque, teachings of brushing and feeding, oral hygiene and fluoride application.

In statements to Lusa, the clinical director of that unit of health, José Maria Corte-Real, who explained that this initiative aims to act as a complement to the program that the Government will develop. The Ministry of Health provides a bet on the enlargement of the oral health program for children between six and 12 years, moving from the current 66 thousand to 80 thousand covered.

According to the Ministry of Health, about 50 percent of Portuguese children suffer from tooth decay. Is data that José Maria Corte-Real knows and feels concern, why decided to move forward the initiative that has no cost, in addition to transport, to the families. "If children are not lacking when summoned and if they meet the program assure that in the nine years, 95 percent of this group is free of cavities," he said.

Children will be divided into levels, depending on the seriousness of the situation. There the group Middle, High and Low risk and frequency of consultations depends on the group to which they belong. José Maria Corte-Real pointed out, however, it is the prevention consultations. "All cases that require treatment are referred to their health centers to be included in the program determined that the State", he stressed.

RTP

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An example that should get all the municipalities in the country.

204. The importance of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding contributes to the biological and emotional health of both the mother as the child. Human milk is a complete food due to the unique combination of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and living cells, whose nutritional benefits, immunological, psychological and economic well-recognized and are unquestionable.

Most of the scientific literature says that the introduction of a pacifier is a major cause of early weaning, acting negatively on the dental occlusion, soft and hard structures of the stomatognathic system, finally, health and particularly in the lives of children. Breastfeeding is identified as an important factor in development, allowing optimum performance of the muscles, stimulating the functions of breathing and swallowing. It is true that the use of pacifiers can cause deviation in the growth of the jaw, causing malocclusion.

Última Instância

203. The role of the LBV (Legion of Good Will) in community health (IV)

Is difficult to give

It is case of 'the World Smile ", which already includes more than 240 doctors dentists Portuguese that' of his own pocket, participate in initiatives that support and promote the oral health abroad. "We exist for two years and we have no capacity to accommodate all the entries, so we alternated the volunteers," explains Manuel Fontes de Carvalho, president of Dental Association Lusófona (ADL) and also chairman of the Bureau of the Assembly of the World a Smile " . But that has begun contacts with other Portuguese speaking countries to lead it to believe it was possible to have more. "It is a market we have, 'said.

These, too, are other times. Recently, in an interview to 'Radio Renaissance', Fernando Nobre, president of AMI, confirmed that "be supportive and get volunteers in this new century, it is increasingly difficult. After 22 years ahead of the institution, the doctor notes that "this company is very neo-liberal, that bet, especially in social strata.

When working with altruistic motives, stamp it into a charge, but also the obstacles that sometimes seem to be ridiculous. "At the time was president of the Association of Medical Dental, I was in Mozambique on official visit, and after that I found really poor, I decided to help. But the material that could never meet in Portugal from a lack of organization on their part. It is not the only one to complain. "I find the very barriers in municipalities where they wanted to lead the Clinic ', recalls Durães Jacinto, without disclosing specific cases. "It takes great determination and, when it seems quite patience. "Every year, thousands of letters sent to companies and institutions to ask for any contribution that we get and the answer is almost always negative.

LBV - Legião da Boa Vontade

202. For pregnant women and elderly: Government is going to 'check-dentist "

The Minister of Health announced today that it will be distributed "checks-dentist 'in program of oral health for pregnant women and elderly. But not proved its value by not yet negotiated with the Order of Doctors Dentists (OMD). In total, according to the calculations of the Minister Correia de Campos for the next year, the Executive provides funds to improve the oral health program from six million to 21 million euro, or the "checks-dentist 'is used in clinical private.

The announcement of the extension of the care of National Health Service (NHS), which will for the first time a national oral health, was announced by the Prime Minister, José Sócrates, at the opening of the conference of the state budget of 2008, Parliament and later explained in a press conference by Correia de Campos. The announcement of the extension of the care of National Health Service (NHS), which will for the first time a national oral health, was announced by the Prime Minister, José Sócrates, at the opening of the conference of the state budget of 2008, Parliament and later explained in a press conference by Correia de Campos.

Questioned by journalists, the governor said it is impossible to move forward with the values of the check-dentist "by not yet completed" discussions "with the OMD. The Minister of Health explained that the approximately 65 thousand pregnant women with pregnancy together in health centers will receive a total of three 'check-dentist.

The elderly with the Solidarity Supplement may receive two "check-dentist" to be used in treatments and dentures. Moreover, the minister stressed that the government will invest 42 million in programs of health care for the three risk groups, children, pregnant and elderly-and that is only possible on the government "was able to put the public accounts in order '.

"For the first time ever, the National Health Service will include a National Oral Health. In three parts: will be extended to all children 6 to 12 years after intervention for the prevention of dental caries, conducted in schools shall be provided coverage of 65 thousand pregnant, will be increased support for the elderly beneficiaries of the Solidarity Supplement application of prostheses 'said the Prime Minister, José Sócrates, at the opening speech, the first day of the conference of the state budget in 2008 in the Assembly of the Republic.

Agência Financeira

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Finally see a happy story. We are waiting for the government promises to move from concrete acts.

201. Oral Health Program in Funchal starts this year and covers 3774 children: Twenty thousand prevent cavities

The Oral Health Program - the responsibility of the Regional Secretariat for Social Affairs - will cover, from this year, the county of Funchal, the only municipality that was not covered by the initiative. Three thousand and 774 students from 183 classes from pre-school that will be, from now on, use of dental care. The first phase, already started in October, will cover only the pre-school but the intention is to then lead the project to the first cycle. These data were made available to the Jornal da Madeira, the Regional Secretariat for Social Affairs.

The regional secretary, Francisco Jardim Ramos stressed the importance of this program that will cover about 20 thousand students from all districts of Madeira. Stressed the importance of prevention in order to prevent future adults will need to place stents or other treatments that do end up leaving more expensive. Whereas this is a successful program in the region, the holder of the portfolio of Social Affairs also highlighted the cooperation provided by some doctors dentists Madeira to make it possible to have a greater involvement on the part of families, schools and students.

According to data provided by the regional secretary for Social Affairs, in the academic year 2006/2007, 12 thousand and 141 were covered. For counties in Calheta, the oral health program reached 959 students. Already in Ponta do Sol, 833 have been initiated in a total of 9 schools. In Ribeira Brava in Machico, 1225 and 1823, respectively, received care in dentistry. In Santa Cruz, were 2603, children who have had the program. Already in Santana, 571 children showed the mouth of the dental program, and 449 in San Vicente. In Porto Moniz, were 203, the children covered in Porto Santo, 408 and Câmara de Lobos, 3067.

In June this year, the opening of the X Week Smiling, the newly installed regional secretary for Social Affairs outlined a goal in 2010 as part of the Oral Health. Francisco Jardim Ramos set to that date, 50 percent of children of pre-primary and basic, should be free of dental caries. At the time, the chairman of the regional delegation of the Order of Doctors Dentists and member of the group of specialists that integrates the program of Oral Health of Madeira admitted that this proposal can be achieved by the regional secretary for Social Affairs.

Gil Alves also noted the importance of starting as soon as possible, with the program of oral health in the municipality of Funchal, the only city that was and where the program was not moved earlier due to lack of manpower. Gil Alves is now realized this desire.

Jornal da Madeira

* * * For some reason it seems that oral health programs for work in wood, the same can not be said on the mainland. Having as main activity linked to school education, never saw the school where I (Portugal Continental) any oral health initiative. Is it to ask how they are spending five million euros annually in programs for oral health in mainland Portugal?

200. National Health System among the worst in Europe

Portugal was in 19th place on an analysis of the health care system more consumer friendly from 29 European countries, according to results released by the European Index of Consumer Health Services. Portugal gets poor results in the waiting time in various public services, in heart attack mortality in operations for cataract and dental care in the public system.

The report notes that the Portuguese health system "is not as advanced as that of Spain, but the positive values on infant mortality.

Every year, the Health Consumer Powerhouse classifies national health systems based on five areas: information and rights of patients, waiting times, outcomes of care, 'generosity' of the system and access to medication. The results of the report of this organization meet the views expressed by the Destak Santos Cardoso,'s Movement for Users of Health Services: "the waiting lists are among the main problems, a real shame."

The Ministry of Health made it clear that it agrees with the diagnosis of the study and who is dealing with solutions.

Ranking of European health systems: the 1st of Austria (806 points) 2. Netherlands (794). 3 France (786) 4th of Switzerland (770). 5 Germany (767) ... . 19 Portugal (570) ... 25th of Romania (508) 26th of Lithuania (496) 27th of Poland (447) 28th of Bulgaria (445) 29th of Latvia (435).

Comments:

-What is regrettable in Portugal (I'm in France) is the price that it costs a consultation with a doctor, my wife on vacation in a crippled foot slipped and broke a nail, we went to a nursing center in cost EUR 60 between the dressing and a compulsory passage because the doctor refused to do the healing without seeing the doctor. France had a severe burn in one hand was the center of the nursing consultation in the medical dressing and cost 30 Euros, not to mention the fact that even the 30 euros will be reimbursed by social security.

What I find shameful is that Portugal is not repay, because the hospital would be cheaper, the problem is that a doctor in Portugal takes over the double for a consultation in France. Although expensive I know that some swindlers are poorly educated and therefore do everything for all to benefit the people of the state health system and make people do analysis and testing in private, because forgetting to tell certain people that they are priority in certain cases and not have to wait, but not clear whether to send their friends do not receive commissions.

-We all know that many professionals in excellent health. But unfortunately we also know that some who need to be "empty" and in the case ask them to change jobs. The quotation attributed to our country shames us. But it is to this sad reality is encabrite corporate and yell that we have the best health system in the world. Of course, with that blindness never improve the system.

What is that worth in too many health professionals who do not take down the arms and do everything to provide the community of health care excellence. The reason is that our public recognition!

Destak

199. Study on Oral Health - Children of Terceira island with gingival problems

The Third Island presents the highest regional gingival problems in children aged 12 years, shows a regional study on the prevalence of oral diseases in the school population. About fifty percent of the children studied, on the island, have periodontal problems (gingival).

This problem is mainly due to lack of care or poor oral brushing of teeth, said the coordinator of the study, to our newspaper. Viveiros Ricardo Cabral, the coordinator of the Program for Promotion of Oral Health of the Azores, ensures that this difficulty will be overcome with intensive work in promoting oral hygiene among children of school age. Indicators of scientific comparison between regions - the index of dental caries in children of 12 years and the percentage of children free of caries in mixed dentition (6 years) - show that the region is changing very rapidly in terms of oral health.

The specialist in dental medicine ensures that the region in five years (2000 to 2005) showed "considerable gains in health", noting a substantial reduction in the prevalence of dental caries, with a decrease in the DMF index (decayed, missing and filled) of 4.5 (affected teeth) to 2.1. "While still far from the targets set by WHO (World Health Organization) for 2020, which is 1.5, the gains achieved in the region are a national example," explains Ricardo Viveiros Cabral.

On the second indicator, the percentage of children free of caries, the region in five years rose from 30.8% to 37.3%. The WHO is 80 percent. The evolution of these indices increases with age, says, remembering that we are "far from the desired" but, now, we are very close to the national average. There was, according Viveiros Ricardo Cabral, a very positive development since the implementation of the Oral Health Program in the region and with the increase of professionals in the islands.

The dentist noted that the Azores is the only country that provides dental public, through a regional program with innovative measures at the country level. The health centers of the Azores, with the exception of the island of Faial, already provide an average of 27 thousand of oral health consultations per year, revealed, claiming "that the next goal is 30 thousand consultations."

The expert acknowledged that "there is still much to do in these areas, but remember that the" left tail of the deep. "In 2002 the Azores had three professionals in the Regional Health System, are now in 16 tables and four employed" . Viveiros Ricardo Cabral recalls the implementation of new measures such as the Bulletin Single Oral Health, which is available for children of nine islands, which allows recording all the information and medical history of its bearer. This newsletter, which can be obtained free at the health of the nine islands, is a further contribution to the oral health of the Azores, in the context of the current program.

The development of the region in terms of oral health is recognized and praised by the scientific community and the regional program will be taken as an example for the future national program "Oral Health. The Order of Dentists Doctors estimate that about 50% of the population is unable to pay a consultation in private dental and advocates the implementation of the Azores in the country. "While there are dentists in medical centers or health systems to grant, they will be excluded from the oral health, "said recently the agency Lusa the president of the Association of Medical Dental, Orlando Monteiro da Silva. The Order is to strive to have dentists in the health centers and hospitals or Portuguese to be created systems with the private agreement.

The example of the Azores is repeatedly referenced by the Order and by national experts. Viveiros Ricardo Cabral hopes that regional investment is enhanced in this area in order to avoid a decline in health. "A person without oral health, is not in perfect health" - recalls.

The regional study on the prevalence of oral diseases in the school population, to be published shortly by the regional secretary for Social Affairs, also shows that islands with higher rate of dental caries are those of the Western Group and Vila do Porto (Santa Maria) has the highest percentage of sealed teeth. The data revealed, for 2005 and 2006, pointing also to a large number of children with dental trauma (fractured tooth) on the island of Faial. Deficiencies in school buildings may be contributing to this situation, since it is early in the year that records the greatest number of problems.

The Pico and Sao Miguel have the highest rates of dental fluorosis, a change that occurs due to excess intake of fluoride during the formation of the teeth (causing stains in the teeth).

A União

198. Tooth for a tooth

197. Smile in Porto Canal

Porto Canal, which began broadcasting on 29 September 2006, has now, a grid with 18 hours of television daily (from 10am to 4am). The program has a strong interest in information specific to the 14 counties that comprise the Greater Porto, with the collaboration of businesses, municipalities and other entities of the metropolitan area, including the University of Porto.

The Port Channel is betting on new programs. The Smile, this is called the informative magazine, is the new programming grid. This is a line written by dentist João Espírito Santos on oral health, and goes to air every Sunday and Wednesday at 12:45.

"Who comes to our teeth? The treatments are more expensive the best? "These and other questions are addressed in the Smile, ensures the author of the format, João Espírito Santos. This metropolitan television station is on channel 13 of the tunable digital package and the package 39 of the analog TV Cabo Portugal.

Destak

196. The role of the LBV (Legion of Good Will) in community health (V)

Lack national

Another of the problems summarized in a word: lack. The dental health has been badly in Portugal and although many recognize responsible improvements, "there is still a long process ahead, and not forget Manuel Carvalho sources.

In terms of fieldwork, the country is guided by up local initiatives, which ask to be sporadic and not long-term prospects. "We must coordinate the work done by all to avoid overlapping of activities, beginning with sources suggesting Manuel Carvalho. "Outside, the volunteers are based in institutions where people go for assistance. In Italy, for example, there are two dental organizations, in Spain there is a group that is currently in Africa. In Portugal, everything is scattered, the chairman of the ADL bubble, which allows to reach this error when running on its own initiative and without any national plan perfectly structured, builders, along with their students, a practice 'in the street , to teach people some basic rules of dental health.

Although the initiative 'welcome' stresses, 'no effect in the long term. You can then say that the outlook for oral health in Portugal, is the result of decades without education cadences. "We can only overcome these problems if we have a plan at national level. What the Government implements the field [Program for Promotion of Oral Health in Adolescents] has been important and will give the results, ensures the ex-president, but not enough and even the words of Cassian Scapin, "no visible effect.

While acknowledging the lack of organization in the work of the Community, the President of the Portuguese Society of Stomatology and Dental Medicine (SPEMD) believes that this is also the explanation for the lack of numbers at the national level. "There are more volunteers than we think, but are not registered, we have no way to account. This is also one of the characteristics of volunteering: a lack of personal promotion.

Besides the initiatives known to the public, those responsible believe that "an uncountable number of doctors dentists' are volunteers within their office. "Sometimes what happens is that certain clinical contact a school to help in certain cases or make a campaign. There are also options that cover a region in the prevention work but then again no longer there. Everything ends up being a result of an immediate boost, shoot Manuel Carvalho sources.

The solution, suggests the president of the ADL, it is the Ministry of Health to lead this work because, warns, "we are spending money and we have no results after long-term epidemiological data or concrete. The crux of the problem remains. "There are large projects that need a lot of volunteering and not feel that there is great willingness on the part of individuals' sources of stresses Manuel Carvalho.

LBV - Legião da Boa Vontade

195. Spain: Dentists free for children between 7 and 8 years in 2008; free vaccine against cervical cancer

Children aged between 7 and 8 years living in Spain they will have free dental consultation from 2008, under a program negotiated by the central government and autonomous communities. The plan was already approved by the Inter-territorial Health which also approved the inclusion of the vaccine against human papillomavirus to prevent cervical cancer in the schedule of vaccines for free.

Bernat Soria, Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs, explained to journalists in 2012 that free access to the dentist will be progressively extended to all children up to 15 years. The health plan includes dental dentists in periodic reviews, instructions on diet and health of the mouth, topical fluoride application, evaluation of caries and plasters, among other things.

Regarding vaccine for cancer of the uterus, it is up to each region independently determine the age at which will be given to decide when and starts the program, which will be universal by 2010.

The costs of the initiatives will be divided in equal parts by the general budgets of state and each of the autonomous communities.

RTP

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It is also expected to Portugal initiative also has a foal January 2008, we await the presentation of the State General Budget. This time the expectations are great and it is expected that the government finally takes the initiative, after all, Portugal and Spain are EU countries.

194. OCTOBER: "Oral Health Month"

The eighth edition of "Oral Health Month" follows this month (October), allowing the realization of free dental screenings to the population. For more information about the office nearest the area of residence and make the query, simply call the phone number 808 205 206, Blue Line, available between 09:00 and 23:00.

193. Half of the Portuguese can not pay dentists, professionals are beginning to seek work in foreign countries

Around half the population is unable to pay the dental consultation, which is detrimental to oral health and dental is driving other countries to seek to exercise the profession. "We estimate that about 50 percent of the population is not able to pay even a dental consultation in private. While no dentists in medical centers or health systems issue, they will be excluded from the oral health, "he said in an interview the agency Lusa the president of the Association of Medical Dental, Orlando Monteiro da Silva.

The Order must strive to have dentists in the health centers and hospitals Portuguese or to create systems with the private agreement. Orlando Monteiro da Silva cited a study by University of Liverpool, where Portugal is given to "the darkest scene in Europe" in oral health care.

It is largely the lack of supply by the National Health Service (NHS) at the level of dentistry that is creating an excess of professionals in the country and Order regrets the "lack of planning for human resources." "If the population is replaced every access to oral health care, doctors dentists probably arrive hand, estimated Orlando Monteiro da Silva. But as this is not the case, dentists are trying to Portuguese other countries: "We are exporting human resources for deficit countries such as England and Holland, the Nordic countries because the profession is no longer attractive." Portugal and Poland are the countries that contribute most to the health services of the NHS oral English, for example.

Estimates indicate that the Order within three years, in 2010, there will be a dentist for every 1,180 inhabitants in Portugal. In comparison, Spain has a professional for every 2,667 inhabitants, the Netherlands one for each 2,118 inhabitants and the United Kingdom one per 2,105 citizens. The projections of the number of doctors and dentists for the next years show "a lack of over-training of graduates." "The result will inevitably be the increase in unemployment and under-employment in the class," refers to the Order.

In Portugal, only the autonomous regions have oral health systems to serve users of the NHS. In the Azores there are 19 dentists in the medical system of regional public health and Order provides that in some years, the Azores are the best indicators of oral health. Already in Madeira, there is an agreement between the regional health service and private, in which the public partly reimburses the cost of users that use private dentists.

RTP * * *

This blog is just to alert the national and international community about oral health policy in Portugal followed by all governments since April 25, 1974. Please do come and ask that this appeal to all health care organizations in Portugal and in the case of finding abroad, you get your voice revolt from all international bodies where Portugal is represented, denouncing the violation fundamental rights of the population in access to oral health care within the country.

I also thank the help we can give to translate this blog into other languages, enabling a greater knowledge and international reporting about what is happening in the area of oral health in Portugal.

192. Obligation to pay compensation

Portuguese law (civil code)

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Article 562. º (General principle) - Who is required to repair an injury to restore the situation that would exist if there was not the event that requires repair.

Article 563. º (Causation) - The obligation of compensation exists only for damages that the victim probably would not have suffered had it not been for injury.

Article 564. º (Calculation of Compensation) - 1. The duty to indemnify includes not only the injury, as the benefits that the victim failed to obtain a result of the injury. 2. In fixing the compensation the court can consider the future damage if they are predictable, if not determinable, the setting of the corresponding compensation will be referred to later decision.

Article 565. º (Provisional Damages) - Should the compensation be fixed in execution of sentence, the court may immediately order the debtor to pay compensation within the amount that it considers are proven.

Article 566. º (Cash Compensation) - 1. The compensation shall be in cash, where the natural replenishment is not possible, not fully repair the damage that is too costly for the debtor. 2. Notwithstanding the requirements in other provisions, the cash compensation is measured as the difference between the assets of the victim in the most recent date that can be answered by the court, and that that date would have if there were no damages. 3. If it can not be ascertained the exact amount of damages, the court judged fairly within the limits that has a proven.

191. Memory for future

Hello
I thank anyone or international entity that can help me. I need support. In Portugal there is no justice, and I need the support of human rights organizations. Please read the text and help me:

alves.saudeoral@gmail.com


I hereby direct me to you to explain, as possible, the questions for which answers and clarifications sought actually concrete. So then ask for some entities would be to provide me some information, or noticed that I was not clear enough or got answers that had absolutely nothing to do with the information I had requested.

So, to remove any doubt about the issues for which seek a total and complete enlightenment, the freedom of all first summarize as much as possible the vicissitudes through which he passed and that today raise me a whole series of questions for which I intend to answer enlightening and practical.

The crucial issue and relevant leads me to make this detailed description is related to the quality of care I have received oral health throughout my period of training, particularly among 80 and the end of my degree, which concluded at the University Lisbon.

Although you can make here other health problems, the substance is only relevant for me to do with the oral health care to (not) have been provided, which very question today and that I need now and as I hit I are and will make me definitely to mark the rest of my life, both physical and psychological. I know that you, with power of decision making and, therefore, with clear responsibilities in terms of oral health policy followed in Portugal, at least in the foal of 1975, I can carefully examine the issues and provide me the appropriate answer correctly .

As far as I remember, when I had oral health problems - I remember perfectly still walk on the lap of mother and already suffering from pain in teeth. I must clarify that my parents were farmers, my father and my mother is illiterate not completed primary education, my childhood was always in the interior, far from urban centers and better medical care. Sadly missed me, at that time, the initial provision of oral health care.

I lived with my family in a small town in the interior of the Alentejo: Alandroal - there was entered in the Health Center site, which was exactly what got the first oral health care. Then I will explain how it works: I know that I was given by the family doctor of the time (late seventies) to the query of "dentist" - the Health Center of Alandroal I remember moving a "dentist" in Elvas. Usually there were twelve to fifteen people to be served in a morning, when the dentist arrived this, go to form a single file and plays to take an injection (anesthesia) - I think the same syringe used to inject everyone.

Soon after beginning the extractions ... I do not remember any other consultation carried out there, is there were only extractions (no fillings, cleaning or other treatments). After two hours they were all "treated" and there would be but the "dentist".

I have my twelve or thirteen years, the treatments that the dentist made me this was only to extract teeth - never did an X ray or other type of oral treatment. If after ten minutes failed to draw me a root or a tooth, the dentist "marked a new query me for eight or fifteen days later, so a root more difficult to extract took sometimes three or four "sessions", ie more than a month to be extracted.

I do not know exactly because I tired of both go and never have finished the treatment (which consisted only in making extractions), also never saw that this "dentist" or had made any written record of the treatments that did - was all along, or they were children, adults or elderly. However, from 1980 began to suffer from tinnitus, which, unfortunately, still reside in my head 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (I do not know how far they have been caused by the treatments made by this "dentist" ; unfortunately traveled by many specialists in neurology and OTR but not one managed to suppress the symptom that causes me the tinnitus).

When I was fifteen years I have noticed that my friends of my age had their teeth treated - and then will ask my parents to let me go to Évora try to solve the problem of my teeth.

Drove me to the Hospital District of Évora, in receipt of the Hospital told me once that there were no vacancies for the consultation of dental (or dental). I remember very well that even after I spoke to the area of consultation and came to enter the office where they were installed the equipment for dental consultations, but there was not anyone. I was also a "dentist" who worked on the streets of the "Arcos" in Évora, unfortunately, I think made the biggest mistake of my life, as the "dentist" that I met told me I had to do more extractions before could do me a treatment for cleaning the teeth ... Possibly by all the trauma that had already passed the Health Center of Alandroal, then did not want to do more extractions.

Entered the University of Lisbon, the result of a scholarship.

Only able to enter the consultation of dentistry Medico-Social Services, University of Lisbon when he was in the 4th year of the University, unfortunately, too late to be treated as it should have been in early childhood.

As a result, suffered the greatest trauma of all time in my life, have to be forced to use dental - something that had yet been possible to avoid, I think, if the doctors who treated me since childhood had been so kind to want to the case because of my health.

Today I have the full consequence of that all by now, and particularly the brands that I have to load the rest of my life, shall be due, in large part, by the way of how nobody in health knew I treat as it should have been treated, I think just a little humility and common sense by all the entities that I mentioned that I had not fallen in what today are the physical and psychological that I have, unfortunately, support the rest of my life.

I have several questions, but they do not want to fall in deaf ears and that "fault" (to exist) simply die unmarried, answers when I return to say "Look, who can answer your questions and this is the entity about .... " My goal is simple: never get another couple in Portugal is the victim of so much contempt for the health care that are the various health authorities in our country (do not know the remorse that I have now when I cross almost daily, with pre-adolescents and young people in their age of innocence, are faced now with advanced tooth decay, or when I speak, showed the lack of teeth, despite their young age - that will have future in terms of happiness, they people? Will they go through the same ordeal I? How many adults, being aware of the facts, will continue to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the suffering of these children and young people for the rest of their lives?).

I do not think that if I were the son of a president of the republic, minister, attorney general, director-general of any public body, chairman of the Board or any Director, Clinical Hospital Center, the top military career, distinguished Mr knowledgeable of laws or any businessman, would have had all the necessary treatment and care throughout my childhood and adolescence. It, quite simply, I think we could occur in Portugal ...

Thus, taking full knowledge of the involved and responsible for the consequences that now have to bear is the only way to achieve some emotional balance and to stop the beautiful battle that is life, not in any way want to measure the effects of suffering, suffering and suffer forever by simply not having a natural smile normal, nor do I think and reflect on it meant to me in emotional and interpersonal relationships with other people. I am not able to provide all the reflections that I have in my future for health care, which (not) have and that, sooner or later, be direct reflection of how I was treated (disappoint whoever now, as adults, because I am not so naive as I was in childhood and adolescence, I am perfectly sure that in future I will be confronted with diseases directly caused by what I have and that I should take as given, in terms of care health).

Furthermore, I hope that I was the only trace of contempt of the national health service users, particularly by children and young people in the case of oral health, and that from today all have a right to a simple beautiful smile, without fear to see in the mirror. Fortunately this is possible - in the hands of anyone or have run on other people.

But I will never rest until they feel very well with me, I know that time does not go back and what I wanted for me today is impossible happen. But at least I want to be with me very well psychologically, this will only be possible in the day to find all the answers to my "why me?". These are questions that I get completely: why me and why? What evil have I done to the world to be like victims?

Here a list of questions I want to see answered and clarified once and for all, without subterfuge or indirect and inconclusive answers. The people there are, take positions and be fully accountable for functions that play or played (currently, the one year to five years or twenty years ago). I have every right to see and answered all my questions and to know why these things happened to me.

I do not want monetary rewards or someone go to jail for having failed to care that should have been me, I, yes, I say directly to me and how to take publicly responded to me in time to my requests for treatment.

Listed here are my questions, I hope that answers completely enlightening, arise quickly and are public, only then have some psychological comfort and will take the heavy burden of conscience that weighs about myself and at least make you never no child or adolescent is treated well in Portugal.

1.-What is the "dentist" who served in the Alandroal Health Center in the late seventies and during the eighties?

2.-What specific training (academic - university attended; professional - membership in the Order of doctors or dentists) that this "dentist" was to treat children and young people?

3.-What is the official authority which determined that such dental service in the Health Center?

4.-What is the institution that controls all the processing undertaken by the "dentist"?

5.-How can I now access to my personnel file that this "dentist" should have on me? (I do today, so relevant, to have full access to all the reports that the "dentist" has drawn on me)

6.-Who was the clinical director at the Center of Health Alandroal during the period in which this "dentist" there was consultation?

7.-Who was the Clinical Director of the Hospital District of Évora in the 80s?

8.-What are the criteria by which the Hospital District of Évora, in the 80s, so that children and young people could be found in consultation with dental or dental?

9.-What are the criteria that determine the care of Portuguese students in consultation with fellow dental or dental services Social-Medical University of Lisbon?

10.-What are the laws in force in Portugal, from 1975, with regard to school health? (I remember once I was asking for this clarification to Social Support Services of the Ministry of Education in Lisbon, and then received information that Portugal was the second country in the world to deploy the system in school health education.)

I am grateful to see all my questions answered, only be fully free and be me psychologically very well on the day and see everything clear, especially when I make absolutely sure that not another child or young person in Portugal will be neglected in terms of oral health. Because if there is any suffering it all, nobody can take me.

Because the smile is also good for health.

Well-there.

Sorrir ... sempre sorrir !

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The description of reality is made, and each was asked to assume its responsibilities in this case to a single fault does not die. Because, after all, still living in a state of law and why these things still happen in Portugal.

190. Government should create agreement with private oral health

The Order of Doctors Dentists today expressed the hope that the government create a system of private agreement with the treatments of oral health to patients of the National Health. Tuesday in Parliament, the Health Minister Correia de Campos, who took the National Health Service (NHS) failure in the provision of dental care, and promised to announce measures during the debate in the state budget for 2008.

The president of Medical Dental, Orlando Monteiro da Silva, Correia da Campos has since July a report by a group of specialists from various areas with proposed measures to improve health services in relation to oral health. "The proposal that most concerns people is to establish a system of agreement with dentists and dental clinics for NHS patients, including more specific to certain sectors of the population," said the Lusa Orlando Monteiro da Silva. Dental fillings, extraction of teeth and devitalization, rehabilitation and cleaning of removable dentures are the areas that the Order of Dentists considers to be included in a package of oral health such.

"We see these measures announced very soon," said the president, who welcomed the recognition of the Ministry of Health that oral health is an area that has been systematically neglected. " According to the 2001 National Health Center, nearly four in ten older people in Portugal have lost all their teeth, given that the Association believes are still undervalued in relation to reality.

RTP

189. SPAIN: Four million children will benefit from new oral health plan

MADRID, 10-SEP-2007: The Minister of Health and Consumption, Bernat Soria, said today that the new Oral Health Plan for the National Health System (NHS) to respond in a gradual four million children between 7 and 15 years.

"The next year nearly one million children aged between seven and eight years may benefit from this plan to be developed in a progressive manner," said the minister, as reported by the Ministry of Health and Consumption. The benefits included in this plan include annual revisions to special treatments such as fillings, cleaning the mouth and teeth extractions.

"This is an indication that this government is working to ensure that all Spaniards have access to the same services," said Soria. "The ministry will provide free dental header for all children between 7 and 15 years. For the small smile does not depend on their social status," said Soria.

descpnet

188. Open letter to the organs of sovereignty

This Open Letter is addressed to all the organs of sovereignty in any way that can make any move to change the disastrous state of the oral health of a large percentage of the population.

Calls to all readers living in Portugal or anywhere in the world, they get a copy of this open letter to the Portuguese authorities and send by email to all your contacts.

Because, after all, there are still people who see this world and in Portugal's going to get deprived of having a simple natural smile.

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Open Letter

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To the President of the Republic of Portugal, Prime Minister of Portugal, the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal, the Minister of Health of Portugal, the groups represented in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Portugal, the Director General of Health of Portugal , the Directors of Regional Administrations of Health of Portugal, the chairmen of local authorities in Portugal and the President of the Order of Doctors Dentists: let me address a few considerations about the oral health in Portugal today.

Since about a year I have done, from this area, several calls attention to the problem of oral health in Portugal. However, returned several months, continues to be seen standing inertia of the authorities to point out practical resolutions to the problem of oral health in Portugal, or the Assembly of the Republic, the Government wants to remain in lethargy on the need to combat this scourge typical Third World countries and widespread in Portugal, member of the European Union.

A link to the negligence of those charged by law, there is a favorable position in social terms, to this, perpetuating the black stain on the health of the population that chooses not age and that particularly affects the lives of many hundreds of thousands of children and young people for the rest of his life, particularly the most disadvantaged social classes and living in rural areas of the interior, which are never addressed in dentistry or stomatology, leaving the fate handed to them is restricted.

Instead, look at what is happening in the Azores with the launch of the card user of Oral Health, or what happens in other European countries, which rely on recruitment of health professionals oral Portuguese - is just unthinkable, that the best formed in our colleges, the price of gold (many tens of thousands of euros it costs to train a doctor or dentist Stomatologist in Portugal, out of our tax money?) will give the country euro zero productivity.

I think therefore that we must address the real problems of the country and not bury them in sand, forgotten, as our legislative leaders and government are to make progress. A specialist in medicine knows that investing today 1 000 in the monitoring of oral health over the life of a child until the age of majority can be translated into real gains for thousands and thousands of euros to the country, in two ways: by a hand, will allow better overall health, enabling better learning and training for better performance of work delivered as the labor market, allowing substantially increase the productivity and income, creating more wealth for the country and, secondly, to drastically reduce the occurrence of other diseases of all types associated with oral health problems, allowing the state and the private wealth-creating reduce billions of euros in costs of health and abstentionism to work (when recorded an entire working life of each person multiplied by the number of people may benefit from the existence of a program of oral health in the country, accessible to everyone), let alone in serious psychological problems of the forum that the problem of oral health results to those who unfortunately have to survive with disease.

Grateful for the attention given, I thank now all your offices to light a light of hope in the treatment of a completely preventable disease with the human and financial resources that the country currently has.