Section SOCIETY
TOPIC

MUNICIPALITY OF HRAKLIO

Preventive dental check-up in the Primary Schools of our Municipality

The main objective of the program is the formation of a favorable psychological climate which is a necessary factor for the continuation of the child's contact with the doctor throughout his life and the creation of a positive attitude towards dental care.

It is understood that all the action takes place in the context of primary health care with the aim of preventing and promoting the health of children mainly in the last three years, due to the economic crisis.

The target audience for the above action is the students of the thirteen primary schools from the first to the sixth grade and in addition the children of the special school.

In particular, 2,800 students were examined following signed consent from the parents. The total number of students is 3,400.

March - April 2016.

The preventive dental check-up was carried out on the premises of the primary schools, after consultation with the principals and volunteer dentists. The coordination of the action was undertaken by the Nurse-Public Health Worker of our municipality, in collaboration with the education department of our Municipality and the Ministry of Education.

It is worth emphasizing that the interest of the children was great, the cooperation with the teachers and directors excellent, as well as the support of our municipal authority.

  • Primary Education Committee
  • Department of Education
  • Ministry of Education
  • School principals
  • Volunteer dentists

The Nurse of the health department of our Municipality.

In the Primary schools of the Municipality of Heraklion, Attica.

Of the 3,400 children, 2,800 accepted to be examined.

  • 10% of the students had never visited the dentist
  • 20% of the students had caries problems

Also, it was observed that the children who were identified with problems were mainly in areas of the city where the families' incomes are meager.

The response of the local community was positive, the children's families were given the opportunity to have a written general assessment of their children's oral hygiene and further recommendations and alternatives were given depending on the cases.

As a result of the above action is the creation of a social dental office for the convenience of economically weak citizens.

The Municipality of Heraklion has multiple benefits by organizing these types of social actions:

  1. supports its citizens
  2. promotes the health of its citizens
  3. gives equal opportunities to everyone in the matter of prevention
  4. cultivates volunteering as a way of life
  5. forms new social models in the local community