Health Matters WBOP March 2016 | Page 2

From the Chair At the beginning of February, we welcomed Helen Mason as the new Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB)Chief Executive. Helen has been with our DHB for 17 years, working in a number of roles, most recently as the General Manager Innovation and Special Projects and formerly as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Planning and Funding. In 2014-15 Helen was awarded the New Zealand Harkness Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice, and was an Institute for Healthcare Improvement Fellow in Boston, USA. I think it speaks highly of our DHB’s commitment to developing our people that we have been able to appoint one of our own as the new CEO and one of the articles in this edition of Health Matters looks at the ongoing development of our orderlies and the great achievements they have made. It’s great to see so many of them achieving the NZQA qualification – well done all of you. In February the Whakatane District Council revisited its decision to remove fluoride from the Whakatane and Ohope water supplies and voted to put fluoride back into both these water supplies. The Council also agreed to produce a report which will assess the feasibility of introducing fluoride to water supplies of those communities that supported fluoridation in the 2013 referendum. From the BOPDHB’s perspective this is surely a significant achievement. There is strong scientific evidence that water fluoridation is safe and effective in helping protect teeth from decay. New Zealand’s most recent national oral health survey shows that children and adolescents living in fluoridated areas, experienced 40% less tooth decay than those living in nonfluoridated areas. As a DHB we support every activity that contributes to the wellbeing of children across our region. One of the DHB’s key expectations from the Minister of Health is tackling obesity. Add that to the fact that on April 2 2016 the Oxfam Trailwalker Challenge will be held in Whakatane (and as well as the usual 100kms walk, they have for the first time added a 50kms walk) World Oral Health Day 20 March 2016 “It all starts here: Healthy mouth. Healthy body.” What is Oral Health? Oral Health refers to the health of your teeth and gums. It affects an individual’s general health and wellbeing. Good oral health is important; teeth not only help to chew food, they help to improve your smile, confidence and selfesteem. Oral Health disorders can result in pain, disturbed sleep, difficulties eating and poor concentration; resulting in time off work or school. It is preventable. Promoting good oral health in children can have lifelong benefits. To find out more on how to help promote your child’s oral health check out more visit: http://www. healthysmiles.org.nz What is World Oral Health Day? World Oral Health Day (WOHD) happens every year on 20 March. It is an international day to celebrate the benefits of a healthy mouth. In 2016 the theme is, “It all starts here. Healthy mouth. Healthy body. The day provides an opportunity to promote oral health and the importance of looking after oral hygiene for everyone old and young. To check out more visit: http://www.worldoralhealthday.com/ Basic dental care is free for 0-17 year olds. For more information on how to access dental services in the community, school dental services, and the process to follow when transferring your child between a primary and secondary school go to: www.bopdhb.govt.nz Whakatane’s Talk Teeth Facebook page can be found at : https://www.facebook.com/Talkteethbopdhb-850899318338868/ Sally Webb, Chair, Bay of Plenty District Health Board this seemed like a great opportunity to role model healthy action and “walk the talk”. So at the end of December BOPDHB (board members, executive and senior staff) agreed to form three teams. We have two teams walking the 50kms and one brave team taking on the 100kms. Our teams are: Board Walk: Sally Webb, Marion Guy, Mark Arundel (Board Members) and Janet Mclean (GMMP&F) Boredwalkers: Ron Scott (Board Member) Helen Mason (CEO), Simon Everitt, (GMP&F) and Sarah Davey (Planning and Funding) 100 really!: Letham White (CFO), Dr Geoff Esterman( Board Member) Dr Troy Browne (ICU/Anaes) and Karen Hall (OT CAMHS). And I know that more DHB staff have joined their friends in other teams competing in both the 50kms and 100 kms challenges. All our teams have been out practicing around our fantastic Bay of Plenty environment – we have so many beautiful bush and trail walks right around the Bay. Of course, walking 50 or 100 kms isn’t for everyone (and will probably only be a once in a life time event for me) however, walking 30 to 40 minutes is well within the ability of most of us within the community. The BOPDHB vision of Healthy Thriving Communities will be achieved when each of us picks up the challenge of becoming healthier ourselves and encouraging those near and dear to us to so the same. He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people! Arohanui