SKYCITY Smile

From 2004, SKYCITY continues its support of South Auckland children through the promotion of dental health for pre-schoolers, keeping children smiling.

The Problem

Did you know that dental decay is the most common infectious and preventable disease in children?

In the Counties Manukau region alone over 35% of children have tooth decay by the time they start school.

Annually, over 500 children aged 0—14 years are admitted to hospital for treatment of dental decay, many needing teeth removed.

Of great concern is that of the 500 with decay, over 300 children aged 0—4 years require a General Anaesthetic for dental treatment, which is mainly to remove teeth.

What causes the problem?

Poor dental hygiene and diet leading to dental decay
Poor enrolment with the Auckland Regional Dental service
Not enough people taking up free dental services for children aged under eight years.

Why is SKYCITY supporting this campaign?

SKYCITY is supporting dental health for pre-schoolers for a number of reasons. Early tooth loss caused by dental decay can result in your child:

Failing to speak properly
Not meeting growth/learning/development targets
Being absent from pre-school
Lacking concentration
Having low self-esteem
Developing crooked permanent teeth.

Looking after your child’s teeth is important because patterns of teeth care and diet are established in childhood and can set a pattern for life.

What is SKYCITY doing to help?

The ‘SKYCITY Smile’ campaign has a number of initiatives:

The SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust has provided a grant to purchase a mobile dental caravan. The caravan will be out on the streets of South Auckland promoting the dental health message to children and parents, including early enrolment with a dentist
A series of dental health education activities, written by the Auckland College of Education, for local teachers
A community health campaign to raise awareness of dental health.

As a parent/caregiver what can you do?

Once before breakfast, once before bed! Brush children’s teeth twice a day — especially at night-time with a soft, small toothbrush and a smear of toothpaste.
I’m sweet enough, don’t give me fizzy drinks and sugary treats! Give children milk or water to drink and only juice with lots of water added — cordial and soft drinks are bad for teeth. Instead of biscuits and lollies give children pieces of cheese or raw vegetables as snacks.
No honey on my dummy! Avoid adding Milo or sugar to milk and putting honey on a dummy.
Tuck me in with Teddy. But not with my bottle! Don’t put a child to bed with a bottle.
Because kid’s smiles are priceless, a check up is free! Take your child to a dental clinic when its first tooth comes through. Enrol your child at a dental clinic as soon as it’s born. Ask at your local primary school for the one nearest you.
Every month check for decay! Once a month lift your child’s lip to check for decay — look for white or brown spots on its teeth near the gums. Teeth can decay as soon as they start to come through.