Agenda item

11:25

Eunan O’Neill, Public Health Specialist, will present the attached report on the oral health of children in Oxfordshire (JHO9).

The Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee is RECOMMENDED to consider the above report containing information on the statutory dental public health functions of the Local Authority, the current oral health of five year old children in Oxfordshire and the actions being taken to provide dental public health services for the local community; and to make recommendations on future actions if needed.

The Committee had before them a report (JHO9) on the oral health of children in Oxfordshire. This followed public concern about recent data from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on oral health in under 5 year olds in Oxfordshire which showed a decline in the health of children’s teeth, especially in rural areas. Cllr Hilary Hibbert-Biles, Cabinet Member for Public Health & the Voluntary Sector, Dr Jonathan McWilliam, Director of Public Health and Eunan O’Neill, Consultant in Public Health were present at the meeting in order to respond to questions from members.

Dr McWilliam introduced the report and Eunan O’Neill presented it. The report contained information on the statutory dental public health functions of the Local Authority, the current oral health of five year old children in Oxfordshire, and the actions being taken to provide dental public health services for the local community.

In response to a query as to the accuracy of the statistics, Dr McWilliam commented that they could not be relied upon too heavily as they were only indicators. Public Health could do their own local survey, but it would prove too expensive for the funds available. Public Health officers were guided by the index of multiple deprivation statistics which was tracked closely to ensure that disadvantaged groups were not left out. He clarified that the Directorate had a duty around the collection of data in order to facilitate a number of strengthening actions to effect improvement, via contracts with the NHS and a programme of health promotions. These were usually very well received. For example, officers were pleased that children’s centres, had signed up to the recent promotion on children’s oral health. As a way of broadening the work out, health workers, charity nurses and other front line staff working in the education field were being encouraged, and trained, to work with the directorate on children’s oral health

A member asked if the the former annual check - up of children’s oral health was being re - introduced along with the establishment of a school nurse in every school in Oxfordshire. Mr O’Neill responded that the check-ups had been stopped by the Department of Health in 2006 and it was not in the school nurse’s remit to carry out the checks.

In response to a question relating to the methods by which Public Health were prioritising their services, Mr O’Neill explained that it was via sample methodology based on the data published across each district. For more detailed work, officers made use of statistics on multiple deprivation which gave detailed information down to ward level and which helped to target where services should go. For more overall direction, and for use as a check, national surveys provided valuable information. Data was also collected nationally on children over a five year period. The Directorate was currently taking part in a national survey on fluoride, the outcomes of which he undertook to circulate to all members of the Committee.

Cllr Biles commented that the promotions and campaigns conducted by the Public Health Directorate were often repeated every few years for educational purposes. She added that the school health nurses in schools would be key in reminding children to brush their teeth regularly.

Dr McWilliam undertook to provide further information in the future on health inequality in relation to oral and dental services.

Cllr Biles, Dr McWilliam and Mr O’Neill were thanked for their attendance.