High levels of gum disease and extraction amongst the Dominican public, is a major cause of concern to Chief Dental Officer, Dr Idaline John.
In an interview with Dominica News Online, Dr John revealed that the dental health sector is observing Oral Health Week in an effort to raise awareness of oral health and curb the effects of oral diseases.
“We are hoping that people will really come out in large numbers to take part. The mouth is a very important part of the body and very often people tend to think that it is separated from the body. One may have tender gums or bleeding gums or even toothache and they will delay to get to the dentist but if they realize that they have a pain in their body they would quickly run to the doctor or casualty to seek medical attention,” she noted.
According to her, the level of consciousness is not present since people go to the general doctor to conduct general check -ups every year but a visit to the dentist is scarcely included.
“This is what we are trying to encourage during this time. People should make it like an annual thing for people to go to visit their dentist. We are seeing a trend where we have a lot of cay carries in children right now and then even in the adult population where you have a lot of gum disease and a lot of extraction and according to our statistics we realize that for 2012 we are doing more curative treatment than preventive and it is not because we are not doing the education,” Dr. John lamented.
She said that therapists go to the schools and give children appointments and they also conduct one to one conversations with clients but the public still remain hesitant to go to the clinics.
As part of Oral Health Week activities, dental practioners will provide oral screening to the public from 10:00 am outside of Jolly’s Pharmacy in Roseau. Dr John encouraged individuals to come out to know their dental health status. The screening is free of charge and according to her, clients will be referred to a dental clinic if the need arises.
“If people would really take time off to visit the dentist as early as possible then you can assess whether they are having problems and then refer them to do the treatment. People don’t have to wait until they have pain to visit the dentist. Most of the time when they are in pain or they have abscesses that they cannot bear again it is already too late to do the treatment that we would want to do for them,” she pointed out.
Other activities for Oral Health Week include a radio talk show on Wednesday 9th, October on DBS radio, a walk from Tete Morne to Grandbay on Thursday 10th October where dental practitioners will interact with the people of that community and a prize giving and award ceremony on Friday 11th October, 2013.
It is very true about not waiting until you experience pain before you need to visit the dentist. If you visit them early, then treatment can occur before you begin to hurt.
We have to start at the Pre-School level educating the children about oral health some parents don’t know the correct way to brush and floss their teeth so how can they teach the children. Promote and ORAL HEALTH MONTH and go to the schools education is the key to our people cleaning and keeping. Take your children they are young to the dentist so that they don’t have the fear of visiting also adults need to clean their teeth every six months this will prevent gum disease.
The Dental Therapists goes to the schools to do their educational sessions and that includes the pre-school too my dear. Parents should bring their children to the Dental professional from the age 2 1/2.Their treatment is free of charge from 2 1/2 till they are 18 years. So please parents make use of the services provided for your children ensure that they get their annual checkups, limit on the sugary snacks u give to your children and ensure they brush before bed…very Important!
The minister of health and his health team needs to take note of the article above. our poroblem is not only our diet and non communicable diseases. We have a very big problem in Dominica with children and adults not taking care of their teeth.
I was shocked when I return home for a visit after a few years out of Dominica and noticed so many Dominican are mising or have decayed teeth,
Dentist in Dominica needs to upgrade,we also needs more trained Dentist in Dominica. It is the duty of the Government to make Dental care avaiable to children and Elderly free and ensure that check up are done yearly.
The cost of privat Dental care is very expensive in Dominica and it not the best . Government needs to regulate that profession.
Do you even know what you are talking about? Children’s dental care is free of charge
Introduce them to dental floss. Teach them about it. Show them how to use it and how often it should be used daily/weekly. Once a day is sufficient, especially in the mornings. This should eliminate gum disease and tooth decay.
It pays off. Who wants to be near anyone, comfortably, who does not practice general hygiene? It is for their health benefit if they are taught about oral/general hygiene. Who knows? They may live healthier and longer. 
They should brush their teeth regularly, ‘at least’ twice daily, morning and night. If possible, three times, once after noon meals would not be too much in addition to using mouthwash.
They should also be taught how to brush their teeth, gums and tongue.
There are healthy candies and gums which they could utilize and will not cause tooth decay. Chewing gums and candies are healthy exercise for the gums.
Everything cost money which is why they may not purchase toothpaste and mouthwash of all. Listerine ‘original’ is my favorite. I do believe it is better than the others especially the newer ones on the market.
In recent years I hardly ever get a cold and do not get a sore throat. I do believe that gargling with Listerine is attributed to not getting a sore throat.
I, too am a clean-freak, squeaky clean.
Flossing helps in a limited way, it is essential that deep cleaning become a regular part of dental hygiene, I am 100% sure anybody who is in their teen years, if they get into the practice of getting deep cleaning done twice per year, they will never have to extract a tooth in their entire life!
This is a medical fact!
Chances are they may have to do a filing here and there, but the need for total extraction of a tooth under normal circumstance would be unlikely.
Now there are people who at some point and time of their life who may have to extract all of their teeth, and that is because they are born with certain hereditary diseases, in order to avoid the existence with a pile of bad tooth, and the pain which goes along with that their only alternative is to have all their tooth extracted.
The procedure is need sometimes at an young age, nonetheless it is more likely to happen after the age of forty; and if there is someone who wish to challenge me on that information, unless you are a medical professional; practicing dentistry, or you are a medical doctor of some kind, don’t even bother to give me the thumbs down, because I do have a medical background, even if I do not have a medical degree.
So, little yellow worm in East York, if you are thinking of challenging me, you are no competition; the worst you can do to me is call me a liar as you have with nothing to substantiate the claims you have made so often.
No name no warrant oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Telemaque, are you aware that you are insulting? Who are you calling little yellow worm? What about yourself? So you know East York? For your information I do not reside in East York. I am not unreserved as you who love to divulge your personal matters for all to read. I often wonder if what you state is factual.
While deep cleaning may be necessary. Consider doing so twice a year to flossing daily.
who love to pick a fight over the Internet and who is always on the defensive, learn to communicate amicably.
You little worm,
In-between those six months (twice yearly) of an expensive dentist’s visit, it is necessary to floss daily to also eliminate particles of food which are lodged between the teeth.
I had a very sad experience two years ago. I visited the dental clinic in the botanical gardens.after the dentist finish examining m mouth the comment that she made to the nurse at the centre was very painful.there is a very young dentist there and she is very professional. I suggest if u have a problem just go to her. there is an older dentist there and I can tell u that she is the most unprofessional person I have met in my life.she has no patience and she discusses your problem and make painful comments right in front of u. I think when there a dentists who really love their jobs and who are professionals like Brenda Bunche people will not be afraid to go to the clinics to take care of their teeth.Make Brenda train all the dentists and believe me people will have better smiles
To be honest, I thought those frequent extractions were a thing of the past? We have always prided ourselves at being advanced, but it seems like we still have a way to go.
It may be cheaper to extract the teeth rather than fill them. It depends on how well-off the patient is.
That is so true. There are some good looking young men and women walking around and their mouths are disgusting. Us Dominicans are quick to have our teeth extracted when we have a toothache. We don’t explore our options of saving our choppers. On the down side, our dental health professionals are to be blamed to an extent. When you go to a doctor for a root canal and two weeks later the tooth breaks, you have to remove it and at this step is when they tell you, well, you needed to come back for a crown. But they never communicated that before . They need to upgrade. Keep up with the times.
you are so right. Even those who are considered the top dentists do so much poor jobs for people. My husband paid so much money to do a filling and in a matter of three days, the filling was out.
Some of them are unable to afford dental care, fillings and the like. This is why they hesitate or do not go to the dentist.
A country should provide medical and dental care for especially those who cannot afford them.
Friday is National fruit day. Good initiative. So everybody should have a fruit for a snack. My children will bring theirs to school for sure.
It is one thing to focus on gum dieses, and talk about it, however I do believe that dental hygiene should be taught from elementary in schools and into secondary; when I was a kid in the late 1950’s that was part of our curriculum we inherited that from the British colonial educational system.
Although there could be many different cause; one that we do not usually consider is bacterial origin; dental caries (decay), which causes cavities, aries in the film on our teeth, known as the dental plaque. This film consists largely of bacterial cells surrounded by a polysaccharide matrix. Most of the bacteria in plaque are filamentous cells, classified as leptotricba buccalis, which extend out perpendicular to the surface of the tooth.
Tooth decay is caused by the bacteria present in the plaque, which persists especially in places that are difficult to reach a toothbrush. Fore this reason one should visit with a dentist will facilitate treatments which involve some deep cleaning thus eliminating plaque, and any hardened residue of food below the gum line where most gum disease begins. (ordinary brushing does not get rid of hardened residue of food below the gum line).
Diets that are high in sugars are especially harmful to teeth because lactic acid bacteria (especially Streptococcus sanguis, and Streptococcus mutans) ferment the sugars to lactic acid, a substance that causes the local loss of calcium from the teeth.
Frequent eating of sugary snacks, or sucking on candy over a period of time keeps the pH level of the mouth low and actively promotes tooth decay; bacteria will not cause decay in the absence of such diet Once the hard tissue has started to break down, the lysis of proteins in the matrix of the tooth enamel starts, and tooth decay begins in earnest. Fluoride makes the teeth more resistant to decay because it retards the loss of calcium; it was first realized that tooth decay was caused by bacteria when germ-free animals were raised; their teeth do not decay even if they are fed sugar diets.
Since the presence of bacteria is necessary for tooth decay to occur, the possibility of decay can be lessened by mouthwashes that kill bacteria. Strains of Streptococcus mutans that produce only low levels of acid are also known……….. I have omitted something which the ordinary mind need not wrestle with, nevertheless: even if tooth decay can be prevented, gum disease can develop, and we need to continue cleaning our teeth to prevent it, I strongly recommend that diabetes (people who are diabetes) should ensure some deep cleaning at least once every six month, a visit with a dentist can prevent what is seen in the picture.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
What about our parents especially mothers? Mothers take care of their children and ensure that their clothes are clean especially when going out. My mother was one squeaky-clean person who taught her children oral/general hygiene. As an adult, I have not lost this discipline. I am extremely particular and sensitive about that.
A man was standing in front of me. I said, “Excuse me. I am getting off soon.” The man was holding on to the steel pole (whatever). He did not move but lifted his hand for me to pass under. I said out loud, “Take your hand from out there. I am not passing under anyone’s arm.” A Jamaican woman whom I would see and have a chat with while traveling commenced laughing. She loves to laugh. I told her, “No way do I walk under anyone’s arm.” This was something. I guess it woke up some passengers who were taking a snooze while traveling, as some do. 
A few things which turn me off about some people are bad breathe, perspiration odor and smelly clothes. Some of them also do not shampoo their hair frequently. It is as if they were never trained at all. Summer is very bad for that.
A few years ago, one early evening in summer I was on a public transit bus, coming from work. The bus was crowded. I was nearing my stop and got up to go towards the door (fortunately I got a seat.
Guess what? He had a smell. It was summer. There are especially a certain nationality, as I have heard, who do not use deodorant and no doubt toothpaste and mouthwash. They do not practice general hygiene. Some people must be taught. When I pass by such people, I have to hold my breathe.
I have stated that such fumes are bad for the health. When inhaled, they go through the nostrils, down the lungs and into the blood stream. Unfortunately, we have to put up with it when people are especially strangers. I am informing you, there should be a law against lack of overall cleanliness.
But seriously,we have a lot of toothless people in DA wi…why do the dentist always ready to pull people teeth out instead of filling in..don’t hate me for this but when we visited my young son ask me what happen to all the people teeth if it’s something they drink or if they did something bad…hehehehe …loving my DA..good initiative tho and I hope they recommend more regular cleaning instead of waiting for a toothache.
That is why me aself doesnt kiss any man eh .Garcon you mad ..lolol
And, what if? A man might look at you and say the same
but i bet you will kiss his dirty feet…stupes!
it should be more private. I have very ugly teeth and dont want people to see my mouth.
not me
The overall health of the body is connected to oral health in ways we never thought possible. Thought the doc would use this angle to give emphasis to the importance of oral health considering the prevalence of diabetes, hearts diseases and cancers among other diseases affecting our people. Oral Health is not just about teeth.
Dcans on a whole dont seem to care about their mouths. So many pple walk around with stinky mouths on that island its not funny
Most people are not educated with regards to dental care, which I think they need to be educated on this matter, and the other they cannot afford the expense of a dental care. Why not Ross University and the government come to some agreement and provide at least half price towards the cost of dental card in Dominica? This would be a good incentive for the local people to go to the dentist fir check up.
You are so correct, one such person suggests that she/he has ugly teeth, and does not want anybody to see in their mouth, ugly tooth is not what this doctor is talking about, it would appear the doctor is talking about gum diseases, they however has not got the concept.
What does kissing have to do with the prevention of gum disease?
If this person believes they have ugly teeth, this is all the more reason they should visit with a dentist, because if that person tooth’s are twisted, and crooked in their mouth, that could be an indication of a gum disease knew as soft gum.
It is also essential that people who are hyperglycemic (diabetics) who has bad breath go to visit with a dentist also, since the gum is definitely the first place diabetes destroys, the condition as viewed in the picture can be caused by high blood glucose, in this case the gum becomes inflammation resulting in what we see in the picture.
In the early stages the gum will appear swollen, however, if and when pressure is applied to the swollen gum, secretion of puss will secrete.
Deep cleaning, while lowering of the glucose will eliminate such conditions in the case of diabetes. In general, deep cleaning of the teeth will eliminate bad breath, and that is unless the patient has other problems such as gastrointestinal issues!
Such people had better worry about hepatitis A, B, and C, when they think of kissing someone, since such disease are more deadly than aids, rather than worrying about someone mouth in that condition.
Note: one can contract any of the hepatitis diseases by simply touching them, and ultimately die from the any of such diseases faster than aids will kill them; no kissing have to be involved simply touching can do it!
Only a nasty person would kiss a man or woman who’s mouth (gum) is in that condition, or the person would have to be blind!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
That should be “inflamated, with puss” and the puss in question is as that found in a festering wound!
“indication of a gum disease knew as soft gum.”
The word should be “Known.” I slip up so many times I cannot count oui!
FET.
I often wonder about that. It does not seem to bother them. Know that some of them rape women and children.
As the saying, these things, lack of cleanliness, have their people. Their homes also reflect their lack of general hygiene. When they do not practice cleanliness, eventually illness sets in.
Outside of Jolly’s Pharmacy? So people have to open their mouths there? HMMM
My sentiments exactly. I am hoping probably a small booth will be set up. Good initiative though.
Examinations were done upstairs of Jolly’s pharmacy in a nice private setting
outside?where?on the street?