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

* * *

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

* * *

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