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KIDS PERTH in
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FEBRUARY 2020
Parents Paper
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Why ear health matters
A lifetime of healthy smiles
ealthy teeth are essential for children, helping them grow up smiling with good self-esteem.
With rising rates of child tooth decay, delaying dental care can become expensive. The average five-year-old in WA starts school with decay in one or two teeth, and one in 10 five-year-olds have had decay in half their teeth. Conventional wisdom suggests decay can be avoided by limiting sugar consumption, using an appropriate fluoride toothpaste and helping your kids brush twice a day. Yet, despite best efforts, many parents find that their child still requires treatment. ‘One key to decay prevention is establishing a nurturing ‘dental home’ for your child,’ said Dr Rod Jennings of Toothbuds Paediatric Dentistry. ‘Children who regularly see a dentist for preventive care are typically more confident, more relaxed and suffer less tooth decay.
recommended before the age of two – and home care is important, too. ‘Many families do great brushing but miss cleaning between the teeth,’ said Dr Jennings. ‘Toothbrushes are effective where there are spaces between teeth but, where the teeth are tight together, floss is the only way to clean between. Working in Midland, Paediatric Dentist Dr Rod Jennings works every day with children. His training helps to create a positive, stressfree experience for both children and their parents. No referral is necessary and eligible patients are bulk billed under Medicare. To arrange an appointment with Dr Jennings, contact Toothbuds Paediatric Dentistry on 6155 9899.
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s a parent, you are often the first to notice a difference in your child’s behaviour, from a change in their demeanour to a craving for different foods. But what do you do when they’re becoming increasingly withdrawn, or ignoring your instructions? The reason for these changes in behaviour could be an overlooked health issue, according to Telethon Speech & Hearing Head of Hearing Services, Philippa Hatch. ‘Parents might not consider ear health in the first instance with some of these behaviours, particularly in regard to ignoring instructions, becoming withdrawn or not progressing with speech,’ she said. ‘Poor ear health can result in pain, poor hearing and fluctuating hearing levels in children. This can then impact attention, academic performance, as well as cause irritability and poor speech.’
Unfortunately, many do not see a dentist for the first time until they already have a toothache, making for a stressful first experience with the dentist.
In addition to parents, Ms Hatch said teachers often noticed these behavioural
changes in their students. In the classroom, children may struggle with everyday learning activities as well as have trouble communicating with other students. ‘We recently had a child whose teacher recommended he come for a hearing test as he was in pre-primary and was having problems with phonics – learning sounds and letters,’ she said. ‘Tests indicated he had middle ear fluid that resulted in a moderate hearing loss in both ears.’ After receiving help the child’s hearing returned to normal and both parents and teachers shared that he was following instructions in class and interacting more with peers. Healthy ears and healthy hearing is a key factor in determining the development of your child. If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, contact Telethon Speech & Hearing for a hearing test. Call 9387 9888 or visit tsh.org.au to book online.
A first visit to the dentist is
At Goodstart, we believe that you shouldn’t have to pay for things you can’t use — like paying fees when your centre is closed. That’s why Goodstart has removed fees on public holidays. This means you can enrol your child on days that best suit your family, without having to worry about being charged for public holidays. Goodstart believes in working together with families for the best outcomes, and is the first national early learning provider in Australia to remove public holiday fees.
Visit your local Goodstart centre, or call us to see how your family can benefit.
1800 222 543
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