Taipei students in the second to sixth grades are eligible for free government-funded dental fluoride treatments at Taipei City Hospital branches during the winter vacation, starting today, the Taipei City Hospital said.
Hospital dentistry department director Lee Ya-Ling (李雅玲) said that tooth decay is the most common dental disease among children, while children with disabilities or developmental delays might have difficulty brushing their teeth thoroughly, and the dental cavity rate among them can be as high as 95 percent.
As children are more likely to eat sweets during summer and winter vacations, they are at higher risk of developing cavities if they neglect oral health, she said.
Photo: Taipei Times
Four factors play into the process of tooth decay: the susceptibility of the teeth, bacteria, food and time, Lee said.
Fluoride varnish is like “putting a bulletproof vest on teeth,” as it helps protect them from acid, inhibits bacterial growth and metabolism, and helps prevent cavities, she said.
Among the many methods of applying fluoride to teeth — such as drinking water with fluoride, taking fluoride salts, using fluoride mouth rinse and brushing with fluoride toothpaste — fluoride varnish has been assessed as one of the most effective at preventing tooth decay among elementary-school children, she said.
Tooth decay can be effectively prevented if children receive fluoride varnish every six months, brush their teeth correctly, and maintain good oral hygiene and dietary habits, she said, adding that children should brush their teeth thoroughly and finish any cavity treatment before undergoing a fluoride varnish.
The government-funded dental fluoride treatment is available to children in the second to sixth grade whose household registration is in Taipei, at Taipei City Hospital branches from today to Feb. 10, the hospital said.
The treatments are available from 9am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 4pm Monday through Friday, it said, adding that parents should bring their child’s National Health Insurance card, household certificate and a toothbrush when taking their child to get the free treatment.
In other health-related news, the Taipei Department of Health yesterday said that influenza and COVID-19 are expected to continue circulating during the Lunar New Year’s holiday, adding that fewer clinics would be opened during the first two days of the holiday on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
People who develop flu-like symptoms, including a fever, coughing, sore throat, headache, muscle soreness or pain should take an at-home COVID-19 test before seeking medical attention, and remember to tell the doctor their test result, it said.
People in high-risk groups for complications from COVID-19 — including elderly people, young children, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions — who test positive for the disease should seek medical attention to receive COVID-19 antiviral drugs, it said, adding that doctors can also prescribe antiviral drugs for flu based on need.
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