The Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy Frank Feighan has just launched the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Trends Report 1998-2018 (HBSC).
Key highlights relevant to Oral Health
More children (10-17 year olds) are brushing their teeth more than once a day – 70.1% in 2018, compared to 57.6% in 1998, with more girls than boys doing so.
21% report eating sweets once a day or more.
7% report drinking soft drinks daily or more.
23% report consuming fruit more than once a day.
215 report consuming vegetables more than once a day.
Fewer children report currently smoking – 5.3% in 2018, compared to 22.6% in 1998. Fewer children report that they have ever been drunk – 19% in 2018 compared to 33% in 1998.