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