|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Dentists have called on the Minister for Health and Children to introduce 'public health warning' labels for carbonated soft drinks.
Dentists say the warning would be similar to the health warning which is currently carried on tobacco products and would increase public awareness of the negative impact these products have on oral and general health.
The call was made in a motion at the annual conference of the Irish Dental Association which is taking place in Galway this weekend.
In a related motion dentists have also called on the Minister to introduce legislation which would ensure that the sugar content of food and drinks is highlighted.
Dr Billy Davis, the newly installed President of the IDA, said the purpose of both these measures - a health warning and labeling which highlights the sugar content of food or drink products - would be to encourage consumers to consider the dental health risk every time buy a soft drink or snack.
"We really need to move urgently on this issue. In Ireland we have one of the highest per capita soft drinks consumption in the western world at over 100 litres per capita per annum, an average of at least one 330mlcan per day. This consumption has risen year on year since the 1980s. There are also increased general health risks, with people who consume excess sugar suffering higher rates of heart disease and diabetes. The health warning system has really worked well for tobacco and alcohol products and it is time for similar warnings to be placed on food and drink products so that consumers can make a fully informed choice" Dr Davis said.
Statistics show that by the time they reach 15, 75% of Irish children have experienced tooth decay. This makes it the most common chronic disease children experience in Ireland Dr Davis points out that studies show it is children from more deprived backgrounds who have a higher risk of decay.
"Unfortunately it is the people who are most vulnerable to tooth decay who are being deprived dental health check ups and treatments by the HSE's demolition of the medical card scheme. Clearly funding is in short supply so a pro-active and cost efficient way of encouraging better dental health - such as a warning and labeling system - makes perfect sense and the government should introduce it without delay" Davis said.
A motion sponsored by Dr Davis calls on the HSE to engage dentists in a screening programme for oral cancer as part of the national cancer control programme. There are several motions condemning the cutbacks to the PRSI and Medical Card Scheme while another motion deplores the reduction in public dental services to children and special needs adults brought about by the HSE recruitment ban and calls for an exemption for all public and dental services posts.
The IDA conference continues until Saturday.
|
| |
|
|
