Oral health campaign undertaken in Oshana Region
An oral health intervention campaign that took place in Oshana Region last week focused on educating children about oral hygiene habits to prevent tooth decay.
Dentists and oral health practitioners joined hands to spread the word about the importance of good dental hygiene.
Oshakati dental technologist Selma Mbundu said the purpose of the campaign was to educate the community on the importance of oral health.
"We explain to them what is happening to their mouth, give them advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene, and tell them of the available treatment," she said.
The campaign kicked off on Monday. By Wednesday evening, more than 2 500 people had been screened, many of them school-going children from various private schools in the region.
Mbundu said oral health is important because the mouth is linked to the rest of the body, and some diseases that start in the mouth can affect other parts of the body.
Healthy habits
She said they held a similar campaign in the region in 2014.
A decision was made to revive the campaign to educate patients on how to recognise dental health problems and how to ensure dental health.
"Most people only go to the dentist when it's already too late. It is always good to visit a dentist twice a year to help eliminate mouth diseases," Mbundu said.
Challenges
Dr Elizabeth Hausiku-Elago said that for a long time, dental clinics have been experiencing challenges, including partially working dental chairs and limited working space to accommodate the growing number of interns required.
"We are also faced with a lack of dental surgery assistance required to implement four-handed dentistry as well as an urgent need to expand the dental unit into different departments," Hausiku-Elago said.
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Dentists and oral health practitioners joined hands to spread the word about the importance of good dental hygiene.
Oshakati dental technologist Selma Mbundu said the purpose of the campaign was to educate the community on the importance of oral health.
"We explain to them what is happening to their mouth, give them advice on how to maintain good oral hygiene, and tell them of the available treatment," she said.
The campaign kicked off on Monday. By Wednesday evening, more than 2 500 people had been screened, many of them school-going children from various private schools in the region.
Mbundu said oral health is important because the mouth is linked to the rest of the body, and some diseases that start in the mouth can affect other parts of the body.
Healthy habits
She said they held a similar campaign in the region in 2014.
A decision was made to revive the campaign to educate patients on how to recognise dental health problems and how to ensure dental health.
"Most people only go to the dentist when it's already too late. It is always good to visit a dentist twice a year to help eliminate mouth diseases," Mbundu said.
Challenges
Dr Elizabeth Hausiku-Elago said that for a long time, dental clinics have been experiencing challenges, including partially working dental chairs and limited working space to accommodate the growing number of interns required.
"We are also faced with a lack of dental surgery assistance required to implement four-handed dentistry as well as an urgent need to expand the dental unit into different departments," Hausiku-Elago said.
[email protected]
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