National Dental Inspection Programme (NDIP) Survey

The most recent NDIP survey report has been released. NDIP inspects schoolchildren to measure levels of dental decay. NHS Orkney was the best performing board for P7 age children, with the highest percentage of caries free children. This is the third year in succession that Orkney has performed the best in Scotland.

Orkney reports the lowest levels of decayed, missing or filled teeth amongst our P7 children, we also report the highest levels of preventive fissure sealants.  We score highly in the Care Index too, this tells that where teeth are decayed, treatment such as fillings are being undertaken.  All of this care helps prevent childhood extractions, which often involve a general anaesthetic.

Jay Wragg, NHS Orkney's Clinical Dental Director said "Taken together, these are most definitely a great set of results for children growing up in Orkney.

It is the result of work by all of those supporting oral health improvement. This includes the families, those working within NHS Orkney and also our partners in education, social services and the third sector. We would like to thank everyone for their help in achieving this fantastic run of results again.​​"

Children from nursery age to P7 brush their teeth every day at St Andrews Primary School.  Pictured are some of the children from across the school showing off their daily toothbrushing.  Pictured are Sam Groundwater, Erin Foubister, Jamie Henderson, Eli Woods, Ada Tait and Marli Rosie.