Significant strides have been made in the area of the delivery of dental health services in Dominica, according to the Dental Health Department.
A week of activities is being observed in Dominica in observance of oral health under the theme, “Oral Health, a Gem to Treasure Now and Forever”
“During the last reporting period 2013, the Dental Health Department made significant strides in the delivery of service to the population,” the department said in a release. “A total of 7,195 adults were seen, and 4,872 children were also seen and treated.”
The department is also reporting an increase in services both in “Preventive Treatment” visits which include oral prophylaxis and sealants and in “Curative Treatment” which include fillings for both adults and children, “with over 8,000 preventive visits and over 4,500 fillings performed.”
“Surgical treatment, which is extraction for adults and children, was 4,024,” the release said.
The Department continued with its focus on oral health education for schools, parents, teachers and the communities through the school dental programme which is ongoing in all health districts.
It also has an outreach programme which provides dental care services to inmates of the Stock Farm Prison which is conducted on a weekly basis.
The release notes further that last month the department relocated its children’s dental clinic from Massacre to the Roseau Health Centre, Botanic Gardens.
“This will facilitate easier access to the clinic and reduce on the time spend for servicing,” it said. “The clinic now opens daily from Monday to Friday.”
The department is call on all citizens to be more responsible when it comes to oral health particularly in light off the high rate of extractions which was identified during 2013.
It recommends that everyone visit their dental care provider at least twice a year in order to combat oral diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer.
The main highlights for this year’s week of activites aree a National Oral Health Quiz competition among the Primary Schools, a Healthy Snack competition among the Secondary schools and a Finger Painting competition for the Pre-Schoolers. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position in each category.
The following are the other activities:
Sunday 5: Church service at the Pentecostal Church Goodwill
Monday 6: Speech by the Minster for Health in observance of the week and radio talk show on DBS Patois programme.
Tuesday 7: Meet the people and exhibition outside of Jolly’s Pharmacy
Wednesday 8: Walk through the community of St. Joseph
Thursday 9 .Healthy Snack competition and Finger Painting competition
Friday 10: Final National Quiz Competition, Prize Giving Ceremony, a National Fruit Day and the Launching of the Department’s Procedures Manual.
High levels of gum disease and extraction amongst the Dominican public, is a major cause of concern to Chief Dental Officer, Dr Idaline John : Oct 8th, 2013.
I find it interesting that now the report is significant strides in oral health has been made in less than a year. Where are the epidemiological studies and statistics and substantiate these claims?
I wish they did fillings when I went to primary school. As soon as these dentists saw a cavity, they reached for the “pliers” and pulled the damn thing out.
Replacing those missing teeth with bridges cost me a fortune when I became an adult.
Good job this generation does not have to go through what we went through as kids.
after all I think there should be a day set aside for the public even is for cleaning at a reduced price