PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan –The Department of Health (DOH)-Mimaropa on Friday said that it has started the Direct Oral Health Treatment Service (DOHTS) caravan in Mogpog, Marinduque, to ensure effective and efficient oral health care among residents.
Health Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said in a statement on Friday that the caravan was started on February 28 during the celebration of the National Oral Health Month.
“This is a continuation of our oral health projects that we launched last year targeting various members of the society and providing them free dental health services in their own communities,” he said.
Janairo added in the statement that the activity aims to support the implementation of oral health programs at the local level.
It also works to resolve the many dental conditions affecting vulnerable populations in the region from ages 0-6 children, pregnant women and the elderly, including the disadvantaged and marginalized groups of Indigenous People and Persons with Disability.
“We will again be visiting other provinces this year to deliver preventive and oral treatment services and we will be doing this now on a regular basis,” he said.
There were 25 pre-schools, 30 children of school age, 15 pregnant mothers, 10 senior citizens that were given oral health treatment services such as pit and fissure sealant, fluoride utilization, supervised toothbrush drill, oral examination and tooth extraction.
A poster-making contest was held among schoolchildren. Hygiene kits were also distributed during the activity.
Janaiero said there are simple ways in preventing oral diseases such as decrease intake of sugar, eat a healthy diet, stop tobacco use, decrease alcohol consumption and most important is to regularly brush your teeth after every meal.
It is very important that oral health awareness should be inculcated among children, he said.
“It is essential to general health where one is free from oral infection, gum disease, tooth decay and other diseases that can limit one’s capacity to bite, chew, speak and smile,” Janairo said. (PNA)
