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LIVERPOOL PEOPLE'S DREADFUL DENTAL HABITS PUTTING HEALTH AT RISK
FLOSSING while driving, opening
bottles with the teeth, ignoring bleeding gums and using earrings,
needles and pencils to pick the teeth are just some of the bad
habits revealed among people in Liverpool by this year's National
Dental Survey.
The survey was conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation and
Oral B to mark the beginning of National Smile Month (18 May 2008 to
17 June 2008). The global campaign is running simultaneously in
the UK and USA this year with the 'Brush for Health' theme
being used to raise awareness of the link between oral health and
serious general conditions such as diabetes, strokes, heart disease
and low birth weight babies.
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, commented:-
"It is National Smile Month but these results do not give people
in Liverpool a great deal to smile about. People are putting
themselves at risk with these shocking habits - yet around 85% of
people are completely unaware of the link between the health of the
mouth and the health of the body
Gum health, in particular, is very important and has been linked to
a range of conditions. However, people are risking their gum health
by picking and flossing without paying the necessary care and
attention.
A worrying 8% of people in Liverpool admit they
have flossed while driving, 8% while on a date and a significant
number of people have used every day items such as earrings, needles
and pencils to pick food from between their teeth, risking cuts and
infection.
Couple that with the fact that 25% of people have opened a bottle
with their teeth and you can see that people really are risking
their oral health with bad dental habits."
The survey also found that 25% of people in Liverpool suffer with
bleeding gums and more than a 3rd of those simply ignore it or brush
their teeth more softly to avoid aggravating it.
Dr Carter continued:- "Bleeding gums are a sign of a poor oral
healthcare routine. People need to brush twice a day with
fluoride toothpaste, cut down how often they have sugary foods and
drinks and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend
if they want to keep their gums and body healthy.
If a person is suffering with bleeding gums they should not brush
more softly. They simply need to make sure they are brushing
well - for 2 minutes at a time and covering all the surfaces of the
teeth. Cleaning between the teeth can also help using floss or
interdental brushes.
The message of the campaign is Brush for Health and people need to
take that literally if they are to stay healthy. Remember, your
mouth and your body talk; so look after them both!"
The Foundation is working alongside Oral Health America to launch
National Smile Month in the USA for the first time this year.
For more information on National Smile Month visit their
website. |
FMB
launches hunt for the North West’s top apprentices
THE majority
of parents (78%) in the North West, but the lowest figure in the
country; believe job-related training is a more attractive option
for school leavers than academic study, according to research
released as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) launches its
hunt for Britain’s top apprentices.
The FMB is inviting entries for The Apprentice of the Year Awards
2008, a nationwide search for the cream of the construction
industry’s talent, with a £1,000 top prize. The competition is run
in conjunction with the FMB’s Master Builder of the Year Awards. It
is open to any UK apprentice in the construction industry, not just
those who are working for FMB member firms. The FMB is seeking
nominations from the North West’s employers, customers, tutors or
members of the ConstructionSkills regional teams for apprentices in
any building trade. Those entered could win the title ‘Apprentice
of the Year 2008’, a £1,000 cash prize, and luxury weekend
breaks for themselves and the person nominating them.
Last year’s winner, Mark Lynch, an apprentice carpenter, fought off
competition from hundreds of apprentices around the UK, winning the
title for his high standard of workmanship, commitment and fantastic
attitude.
“It is clear that the majority of parents believe that an
apprenticeship offers young people a better route to employment and
more employer-friendly business skills.
Talented and committed apprentices are vital to
the future of the industry and should be given the recognition they
so rightly deserve. In the building industry, we face a
shortage of skilled tradespeople . Apprenticeships offered by
quality building firms ensure that Britain establishes high
standards amongst craftsmen and women for the future. The FMB is
determined to reward these, often overlooked, talented young people,
whose hard work, outstanding ability and ‘can do’ attitude provides
a valuable contribution to the businesses they work for.” says Frances Shaw,
North West director for the FMB, the UK’s largest building trade
association.
You will find more details and an entry form at
fmb.org.uk
or by calling 0870 162 0942. The closing date for entries is 31 July
2008
and Naomi Cleaver will present the winners with their awards at the
Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, on Thursday 13 November 2008.
The research found that given the high costs associated with going
to university or into higher education:-
· 91% of homeowners in the North West would be happy for their
children to do job-related training
· 78% of homeowners in the North West think vocational courses give
school leavers far more employer-friendly skills than university or
higher education
· 94% of homeowners in the North West think vocational studies are a
good way of tackling the UK skills shortage in many trades.
The FMB works with the construction industry’s training
organisation, ConstructionSkills, to encourage a high calibre of
school leavers into the building profession. The Apprentice of
the Year is sponsored by ConstructionSkills, Screwfix and the Cross
Industry Construction Apprenticeships Task Force. |
