Department of Health Headquarters
3rd Floor, Markwell House
Market Street
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 2RZ
Telephone:
Fax:
Email:
Website:
01624 685138
01624 685008
[email protected]
www.gov.im/health
21st September 2010
- News Release -
Department of Health launches Oral Health Strategy consultation
The Department of Health is today beginning a consultation process for the Island’s Oral Health Strategy.
The Strategy sets the direction for the next five years in terms of preventing tooth decay. It also focuses on
modernising primary care dental services.
One of the important aims of the Strategy is to introduce evidence-based measures to reduce the numbers of
young children who experience tooth decay. This disease currently affects more than half of five year old
children on the Island.
Other priorities are:

access to urgent care

providing appropriate oral health care services for vulnerable groups

shifting the emphasis in existing services from repair of disease to prevention.
The importance of self-care is stressed with key preventive messages contained within the Strategy
document.
Minister for Health, Mr David Anderson MHK, said “I am pleased to announce the launch of this important
strategy. In the absence of water fluoridation it is vital that other proven methods of preventing tooth decay
are introduced. This Strategy provides the Island with the tools it needs to combat dental disease and
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proposes a redesign of dental services which will ensure a focus on prevention and quality.”
Copies of the strategy document are available at http://www.gov.im/dhss/consultations, or by contacting the
Department of Health Business Support Team on (01624) 685138.
The Department welcomes comments on the Strategy and details of how to respond can be found on page 4 of the
document. To ensure that the process is open and honest and in line with the Government’s Code of Conduct on
Consultation, responses can only be accepted, if a name is provided with the response.
The consultation period will last for six weeks and comments should be submitted by Monday 8th
November 2010, in writing by post, fax or email to:
Oral Health Strategy – Public Consultation,
Business Support Team, Department of Health.
Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RZ
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (01624) 685008
Telephone: (01624) 685138
- ENDS Media Contacts:
Mr Jonathan Davies - Business and Public Relations Executive
Department of Health, Business Support Team, 3rd Floor, Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas, IM1 2RZ
Tel: (01624) 685138/(07624) 496756
Notes for Editors:
1. For additional hard copies please contact the Department of Health’s Business Support Team by telephoning
(01624) 685138. Hard copies will also be available from the Tynwald Library, Legislative Buildings, Finch
Road, Douglas, Public Library’s and local authorities.
2. For further information regarding the Department of Health visit www.gov.im/health
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