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Tooth decay is five times more common than asthma in young children. In Bendigo, an oral health profile conducted between 2017 and 2019 found 30 per cent of children aged 0-5, 47 percent aged 6-11 and 65 per cent aged 12 presented with tooth decay.

Tooth decay begins when sugars from food and drinks are digested by bacteria in plaque, forming acids. Eventually these acids weaken the tooth enamel, creating holes. While tooth decay is a serious problem in children, it is preventable. Changes in diet, such as reducing sugar intake, can help. Regular dental check-ups are one of the most important preventative measures, as they help find and manage problems early on.

Enter Smile Squad – a state government funded program providing free dental care to students in Victorian public schools. Led by the Department of Health and Dental Health Services Victoria, the service is delivered via community dental agencies.

Community Dental Services Outreach Coordinator Kristi Sheldon said Smile Squad ensures students receive regular essential dental care which they may not have access to otherwise.

“Smile Squad started in 2019 as a proof of concept. Bendigo Health played a pioneering role as one of the first agencies to implement the program, which then rolled out in January 2020,” she said.

“The partnership marked a milestone in the early stages of Smile Squad’s implementation, demonstrating the commitment to providing free dental care to students within the region.”

Dental check-ups are conducted in classrooms using portable equipment. Any further treatment required is delivered in purpose-built vans, which house a full dental clinic.

Bendigo Health staff member and parent Sara Harte said: “Smile Squad is great for [my] kids because they learn good dental hygiene. The dental practitioners are really friendly and can let us parents know if the children need any further treatments.

“Having the dental practitioners reminds the kids how to look after their teeth. It’s really supportive for us as parents.”

Dental staff conduct two visits per year to each school, with the second visit used to apply fluoride varnish.

“These fluoride varnish applications play a vital role in preventing tooth decay among students. This component of the program is carried out by our Oral Health Educators, who also provide education to students during the visits,” Kristi said.

Last year was a record-breaking year for Bendigo Health’s Smile Squad, with 22 schools visited and 1,510 students receiving dental care. The program also extended to schools in Elmore, Heathcote, Castlemaine, Colbinabbin, Bridgewater and Newstead.

“In the coming year we’re aiming to improve the effectiveness of the program. We’re currently conducting further research about the requirements of children’s dental health, which will inform strategic decisions and adjustments to the program in the future,” Kristi said.

August 7-13 is Dental Health Week. This year’s theme is Mind, body, mouth. It’s all connected. Visit https://www.teeth.org.au/dental-health-week.