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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Thursday, 26 August 2004) . . Page.. 4494 ..

The Dental Health Program conducts a dental screening program in both Government and private Primary schools in the ACT. The dental screening program does not extend to secondary schools and colleges.

The dental screening program is very effective in raising oral health awareness, and promoting the services provided at the four Child and Youth Dental Clinics in the ACT, but does not replace a comprehensive oral health assessment provided in the clinic setting.

In addition to the dental screening program, dental therapists visit preschools, schools, parent groups, childcare centres and community events to conduct other oral health promotion activities. The Dental Health Program has a comprehensive health promotion plan with five programs targeting children and youth in the ACT.

ACT Health’s Dental Health Program offers an excellent free or low-cost dental health scheme for children and youth in the ACT. The Child and Youth Dental Membership Scheme provides children and young people with dental care from community-based clinics.

A wide range of dental services are provided, including:

- Check ups,

- Cleaning;

- Preventative care;

- Fillings;

- Extractions;

- Emergency treatment;

- Dental information and advice; and

- X-rays.

There are also free “First Smiles Program” memberships for children under five years of age, who receive a free check-up and are given advice on treatment and care. Should the child require treatment following their check-up, the parent has the option of becoming a full financial member of the scheme. Children and young people who are covered by a current ACT Centrelink Concession Card are eligible for free membership of the scheme.

All children in ACT Government and non-Government schools are offered hearing and vision checks during the Kindergarten year of Primary School. The Child Youth and Women’s Health Program (CYWHP), Community Health conducts this service.

Screening schedules undertaken within the CYWHP are based on recommendations made by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) 2002. The NHMRC provides recommendations on the screening schedule during childhood, which starts at birth until the child reaches school. It is recommended that mass screening of children occurs only once during the school years.

ACT Health offers screening for hearing and sight at birth, two months, six months, eighteen months and three years through the Maternal and Child Health Clinics. At any stage a parent may take their child for a screening test if they have concerns.

Children aged seven months and older may also be referred to the nurse audiometry clinic for hearing checks to assess middle ear function or conductive hearing loss assessment. There is also an orthoptist clinic that provides a secondary vision screening service for children from birth to six years.

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