Oral health

Having a healthy mouth is an important part of being healthy. If you have a healthy mouth in childhood you are much more likely to have a healthy mouth throughout the rest of your life. The following key oral health messages describe steps you can take to keep your own and your child’s mouth healthy:

  • Eat healthy food – eat a wide variety of nutritious healthy foods.
  • Drink water and milk – avoid sugary drinks.
  • Clean teeth twice a day – with fluoride toothpaste.
  • Have regular check ups –it’s FREE for 0 -17 year olds - call 0800 4 DENTAL.
  • Protect your teeth – play safely and wear a mouth guard when appropriate.

It is important to consult a dental health professional for oral health advice, or your general practitioner, practice nurse or well child provider. For general information about oral health please visit the following websites:

Inequalities in Oral Health

ARPHS is aware that the Auckland region faces an important challenge in regard to the significant inequalities in oral health, particularly children’s dental health. This section provides some data and information to facilitate better understanding of these inequalities and factors that determine poor oral health especially in early childhood.

ARPHS’s role in oral health

ARPHS works at a strategic level in oral health promotion and we do not provide oral health services. We are involved in a number of activities, through working together with agencies and providers to protect the oral health of the Auckland population. Our core work involves:

  • co-ordination of regional oral health networks to foster partnership and collaboration
  • facilitation of bi-annual oral health forums to promote best practice
  • distribution and development, if required, of Ministry of Health oral health resources
  • development of oral health promotion - current development of recommendations for Māori and Pacific preschool oral health promotion
  • sitting on advisory committees and steering groups for oral health promotion
  • development of a position statement supporting water fluoridation (125kb pdf).
  • supporting the Implementation of the Food and Beverage Classification Guidelines with Early Childhood Education Services (ECES), which also support good oral health