Minister Pat The Cope Gallagher T.D. Launches Report Which Underscores The Importance Of Oral Health Promotion, Ireland

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 14 Dec 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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The Minister for Health Promotion and Food Safety, Pat The Cope Gallagher T.D., launched the report on the 'Evaluation of the Specialist Certificate in Health Promotion (Oral Health)'. The Specialist Certificate is a twelve month part-time course provided by the National University of Ireland, Galway and the Dental Health Foundation. The course provides the participants with a professional education and training in the principles and practice of oral health promotion.

The evaluation was carried out by Dr. Margaret Hodgins, Dr. Claire Connolly and Ms Therese Costello at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Minister Gallagher congratulated them on their work.

The Minister said 'Their work has shown that the course participants perceived that their oral health promotion practices changed towards a more holistic, lifestyle changing and client empowering approach following completion of the course. I welcome the findings that those who have successfully completed the course have noticed improvements in their clients' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours.'

The Minister noted that oral health promotion would play an important role in the recently announced development of a new National Oral Health Policy. Effective oral health promotion and education is vital to good oral health and the prevention of diseases of the mouth including oral cancer.

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