|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
A new study which establishes a clear link between poor dental hygiene and an increased risk of heart disease proves the folly of the government's decision to dismantle the medical card and PRSI dental schemes, according to the Irish Dental Association.
In a new study experts from University College London found that people who never or rarely brush their teeth are 70% more likely to suffer heart disease than people who brush twice a day.
While dentists here and abroad have been aware of the link between gum disease and increased risks of heart problems, the new study is the first to measure and quantify the benefits of daily brushing.
Dr Billy Davis, President of the Irish Dental Association said reducing the levels of bacteria through twice daily brushing was key.
"People who do not brush their teeth regularly have increased levels of bacteria in their mouths and this leads to inflammation and eventually to the build up of plaque in the inside of blood vessels. This in turn leads to infected matter circulating through the body and affecting vital organs such as the heart" Davis said.
Davis pointed out that the study comes just a couple of months after the HSE dismantled the Medical Card Scheme, specifically banning dentists from treating 1.6m card holders from the very gum disease that poses the risk of a heart attack.
"Periodontal (Gum) Treatment was one of the routine treatments ruled out by the HSE for medical card holders. In late April we pointed out that the attack on the Medical Card Scheme would hit the very people who needed treatment the most. We also said the cuts did not make any financial sense and this study underlines that. If you treat a person for gum disease today, as well as safeguarding that person's future health you are saving the health service tens of thousands of pounds from the hugely expensive treatment they will require in future years. The government is being penny wise and pound foolish and needs to reverse the decision immediately" Davis concluded.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITOR
When the IDA pointed out the effects of the dismantling of the Medical Card Scheme on April 28th last one of the case studies we mentioned referred to specifically was gum disease.
CASE STUDY 1. The proper treatment of one of the most common gum infections, acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (and it is as painful and unpleasant as it sounds) otherwise known as ANUG is firstly, gentle cleaning of the teeth, secondly oral hygiene instruction and if necessary the prescription of a course of an appropriate antibiotic medicine. This medical card 'emergency' scheme allows for only the prescription of medicine. The most basic dental healthcare need, cleaning of teeth and oral hygiene instruction has been 'suspended' for adult medical card holders.
|
| |
|
|
