Dental news

mydentist in Lancaster is helping five eight-year old children who are visiting the UK from Belarus, one of areas worst affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster thirty years ago, by providing free dental treatment.

The children, whose living conditions and environment are still impacted by the effects of nuclear fall-out are visiting Lancaster a recuperative four-week stay during July to boost their immune systems and experience fresh air, nutritional food and basic healthcare.

The visit has been organised by the Lancaster Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Link.

Chair of the Lancaster Link Katherine Beaumont said: “A lot of the children who live in Belarus, which received over 70 per cent of the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear explosion in April 1986, are still living with its impact on their health and the health of their families.

“Six families are hosting the children during their visit and our aim is to provide the environment, food and basic healthcare they can’t get at home so that when they return their immune systems are boosted and they are less likely to fall ill.”

Nuclear fallout is particularly damaging for teeth and eyesight because children who are exposed to its toxins are less able to absorb the nutrients and minerals that underpin healthy growth and development.

Tumours and teeth rot are common in Chernobyl Children and the five children will be treated by three practitioners at mydentist during their stay in the UK.

Richard Bate, dentist at mydentist in Meeting House Lane said: “When we were asked if we could help look after the teeth of five children while they are in the UK we, of course, said yes.

“It is a pleasure to be able to use our skills and experience to provide dental treatment for children who don’t have access to basic dental care when they are at home.”

Reactor No.4 exploded at the Chernobyl power plant in April 1986. The plant overlooked the Pripyat River on the northern fringes of Ukraine, then a Soviet republic.

Fifty people died immediately 50 immediately, then hundreds more as radiation exposure began to trigger terminal cancers. Every year, thousands are born with, or go on to develop thyroid cancer, bone cancer and leukaemia.

A south-easterly wind blew the fallout from Chernobyl over Europe towards Scandinavia. First in line was Belarus, which was then the Soviet republic of Byelorussia.