New Child Oral Health Initiative For Traveller Families Launched - Tralee Today
THE Dental Health Foundation Ireland has launched a new child oral health initiative designed to support Traveller parents in caring for the dental health of children from birth to eight years of age. At the centre of the initiative is Caring for Your Child’s Gums and Teeth—a practical and culturally inclusive educational flipbook, developed in
. Orlaith Kennedy, CEO Dental Health Foundation with Eileen Burke, Traveller Visibility Group, Noreen Casey, Kerry Travellers Healthy Community Development Project Noreen O’Reilly, TVG, Liz McGrath, TVG, Orlaith Maria Stokes and Amanda O’Donnell, TVG at the launch of a new child oral health initiative for Traveller parents developed by Dental Health Foundation Ireland in collaboration with Cork Traveller Visibility Group and Kerry Traveller Health & Community Development Project. Photo. Darragh KaneTHE Dental Health Foundation Ireland has launched a new child oral health initiative designed to support Traveller parents in caring for the dental health of children from birth to eight years of age. At the centre of the initiative is Caring for Your Child’s Gums and Teeth—a practical and culturally inclusive educational flipbook, developed in collaboration with Kerry Traveller Health & Community Development Project. It is accompanied by a colourful fridge magnet featuring simple tooth care tips for families, and a new animated online video which will be available atwww. dentalhealth. ieContinued below…. Designed with accessibility in mind, the flipbook uses plain language, colour-coded sections, and imagery that reflects Traveller culture and identity. The evidence-based resource was created by the Dental Health Foundation Ireland, and its scientific advisory group, with significant input from Traveller Community Health Workers in Kerry to ensure that it speaks directly to the needs and experiences of Traveller families. Over the coming months, Community Health Workers in Kerry will participate in oral health workshops that will equip them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver the resource locally within their communities. In time, the Foundation plans to expand the initiative nationally through a wider network of Community Health Workers. For Dr Paul O’Dwyer, Dental Surgeon and board member of the Dental Health Foundation Ireland, the aim is to ensure children’s teeth stay as healthy as possible: “Healthy baby teeth without decay are one of the best starts a child can have in life. Babies are not born with tooth decay, and through this initiative we want to help families to think about their food and drink choices, and oral hygiene practices. Simple changes can make a significant difference—from avoiding sugary drinks and bedtime bottles, to establishing healthy brushing habits early. “What makes this easy-to-use resource especially valuable is the involvement of Traveller Community Health Workers throughout its development. Their insight ensured the information is practical, culturally relevant, and accessible. Following specialised training workshops, they are now well placed to confidently support families within their own communities. ”Noreen Casey, Traveller Health Worker, Kerry Traveller Health & Community Development Project, comments: “Oral health in children is a big issue and I think it’s really important that people understand it. This information needs to get through to parents and grandparents who may be minding the kids, whether it’s using a soft, damp cloth to clean the mouth in newborns, or brushing and flossing regularly, or not leaving a bottle sitting in a mouth for too long. “I think people might be shocked to know that it’s not just baby teeth that are affected, but that the other teeth waiting to come down are also impacted by how we look after kids’ oral health. It was vital to have a Traveller input to the resource in using words that make it easier for people to understand and pictures that are relatable. We look forward to passing on the information in our outreach, through groups and one-to-ones with parents, nannies, and granddads. ”