The Dingwall Medical Clinic and the Northwestern Health Unit have partnered to improve the oral health of children in Dryden.
Due to the high rates of severe dental decay that local physicians have seen, fluoride varnish is now being offered at no cost to all pre-school aged children who visit the clinic.
Dawn Sauve is the Manager of Dental Health for the Health Unit.
Sauve says fluoride varnish is a safe and quick process, where the teeth are painted with a small brush.
She notes children should receive at least two to four applications each year to help prevent cavities.
You can also receive the same varnish at the local Health Unit office.
Sauve says doctors see children eight times or more before the age of five, so this kind of partnership makes sense in order to focus on prevention and raise awareness of the importance of oral health.
She adds dental cavities is the most chronic childhood disease and can easily be prevented.
Sauve says cavities in baby teeth can cause pain and prevent kids from being able to eat, sleep and learn properly.
