Page 26 - Statement of Intent 2015/16

through education, screening, early detection and timely provision of treatment. Primary care is a vital point of continuity and effective coordination across the continuum of care, particularly in improving the management of care for people with long-term conditions.
Studies show countries with strong primary and community care systems have lower rates of death from heart disease, cancer and stroke, and achieve better health outcomes for lower cost than countries with systems that focus on specialist level care.
1.8.2.1 Children and Adolescents have Better Oral Health Why is this important?
Good oral health demonstrates early contact with health promotion and prevention services and reduced risk factors, such as poor diet, which has lasting benefits in terms of improved nutrition and healthier body weights. Oral health is also an integral component of lifelong health and impacts a person’s comfort in eating (and ability to maintain good nutrition in old age), self-esteem and quality of life.
How will we know we are succeeding?
By Year 8, children’s teeth should be their permanent teeth and any damage at this stage is life long, so the lower a child’s decayed missing and filled teeth score, the more likely that their teeth will last a life time.
1.8.2.2 Long Term Conditions are Detected Early and Managed Well Why is this important?
Early detection will lead to successful treatment, or a delay / reduction the need for secondary and specialist care. This is expected to enable more people to stay well in their homes and communities for longer. Our greatest opportunity to do this is to manage cardiovascular disease. It is one of the largest causes of death in New Zealand, and disproportionately affects Māori. Often by the time heart problems are detected, the underlying cause is usually well advanced.
Measure
Baseline 2010
Target 2015
Target 2016
Target 2017
Mean decayed missing and filled teeth score of Year 8 children9
1.60
1.14
1.12
Decrease
9 This measure covers a calendar year period to line up with the school year
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