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A growing number
of people are cutting back on their oral healthcare
THE UK's current economic
problems are proving bad news for the nation's teeth as many people
are looking for ways to save money. The British Dental Health
Foundation is warning that any cut-backs to spending on oral health
is a false economy and will cost more in the long run; physically
and financially.
The warnings have been prompted by a new survey commissioned by the
Foundation which suggests that 36% of adults are more likely to
delay any dental treatment needed due to cost and over a quarter say
they are visiting their dentist less often as a result of the
current economic problems. 17% of people say they are spending less
on their oral care and 27% are buying cheaper oral care products
including toothpaste, mouthwash and toothbrushes.
The Foundation is particularly concerned that 25% of people believe
visiting the dentist is becoming less of a priority. Government data
shows that the number of people with tooth decay is over 40% lower
amongst people who visit their dentist at least once a year. Regular
visits can also help the crucial early diagnosis of life threatening
diseases such as mouth cancer.
Not surprisingly, people on lower incomes are most at risk of
deteriorating oral health in the current economic climate. 24% of
people on lower incomes are likely to refuse dental treatment and
40% of people are more likely to delay treatment.
Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel
Carter, is hoping to remind anyone thinking of over-looking their
oral health, to think again. He said:- "Our findings
show that oral health is not recession-proof and that too many
people are willing to gamble with their oral health. Unfortunately,
they are running the risk of storing up a wide range of health
problems and even bigger costs in the future. Many people are
entitled to free dental treatment on the NHS and it's always worth
checking, especially if your circumstances change. A regular
oral health routine is the only way to avoid problems with teeth and
gums. This includes maintaining regular visits to the dentist. Oral
health can quickly deteriorate and regular check-ups with a dentist
are essential. The cost of poor oral health is not just
cosmetic. Fillings, having teeth removed and other repair work are
all considerably more expensive than the price of a check-up. The
pain of toothache can be excruciating and is something to be avoided
at any cost. Continuing to use good quality oral health
products is also really important. We advise anyone thinking of
choosing different products to look out for the British Dental
Health Foundation's ‘approved' symbol, which shows the product has
been independently checked by an expert panel, and the marketing
claims being made for the product have been independently verified
by our panel of academic experts."
The findings have been published as part of National Smile Month,
which runs from 20 May to 20 June 2012 and is the UK's biggest annual
reminder to look after their oral health. The campaign encourages
everyone to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day with a
fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often they have sugary foods
and drinks and to visit their dentist regularly, as often as they
recommend.
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Boost for city's
cultural organisations
NEARLY 50 arts
organisations in Liverpool will receive vital funding from the city
council's cultural budget. This year (2012-2013) a total of
£3,670,015 is available through the Arts and Cultural Investment
Programme (ACIP) which gives funding exclusively to organisations
which have culture at the heart of its business; whether it's
theatre, dance, visual, digital or performing arts.
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet approved the funding at a meeting
on the 8 June and now 47 organisations from across the city will
benefit after successfully applying through the bidding process.
The city's major cultural organisations such as the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic, TATE Liverpool, FACT, Biennial, The Bluecoat, DADA and
the Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust (the Playhouse and
Everyman) have benefited from the funding, as well as small to
medium organisations and festivals including Hope Street Limited,
Positive Impact, Africa Oye, Brouhaha and The Picket.
It is anticipated that they will bring in a further £30m funding
which will be raised from other external sources, such as Arts
Council England grants, trusts and foundations. It is expected the
cultural sector will continue to attract huge numbers of visitors
and tourists to the city, which will in-turn impact positively upon
the city's economy and profile.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:- "These organisations
are the cultural lifeblood of the city, and provide Liverpool with
an exciting programme of activities throughout the year. This
investment contributes enormously to our continuing growth and
establishing this city as one of the country's foremost cultural
destinations. At a time of recession and cuts in public
finances, we feel Liverpool's cultural offer outweighs our
investment, and ensures that as always, we are staying ahead of the
competition."
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for culture and tourism,
Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "We are delighted to be able to
offer this investment once again, though this has been a
particularly difficult process due to the demand, and strain on
council budgets. We feel that the organisations chosen are in
the best position to offer economic and social benefits for the
city. Organisations such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the
theatres have been working in partnership with the city council to
realise our ambitions for the regeneration of areas such as North
Liverpool. And there are many other wonderful organisations
such as Collective Encounters, Urban Strawberry Lunch, Arts in
Regeneration which are already working on the ground with
communities, providing opportunities for learning and engagement."
The grant was announced in January 2012, following which 94
applications were received. The 47 organisations which are
recommended for funding have been selected based on various criteria
such as:-
► They provide a positive profile for the city.
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They employ local people and
engage communities in local activities.
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Their plans support a year round
events programme with the aim of attracting tourists, visitors and
the local community.
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They inspire local communities to
get involved and engage with culture. |
