FAMILIES in the Campaspe region will be grinning when the free dental service ‘the smile squad’ comes to town.
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The dental van, which is funded by the Victorian Government, began touring primary schools in August last year and has expanded to include another 300 schools and an additional 100,000 students.
The program provides public school students with free check-ups and non-cosmetic treatments such as teeth cleaning, fluoride applications and fillings.
There has been a decline in good oral health of young children in recent years, with about 40 per cent of children reporting decay in their baby teeth.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures showed children in low-income households were twice as likely to have untreated decay in both their primary and permanent teeth (36 and 25 per cent) compared to children in high-income households (18 and seven per cent).
Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said prevention was key to good oral health care and the smile squad was designed to help kids develop healthy habits for the rest of their lives.
“Families from Echuca to Rochester, Gunbower to Kyabram are on the list to receive free dental care and save hundreds of dollars every year,” he said.
“Our kids deserve to have healthy happy smiles, but busy families can often struggle to find the time to get to the dentist. That’s why this program is so important.”
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