Government unleashes campaign to alleviate dental disease

Friday, April 23, 2010 – The dental department within the ministry of health and wellness, hosted the first in a series of dental hygiene shows, aimed at heightening the awareness of oral health practices among school children.

Through its eat, rinse and feel the difference “Water-Can Do-It Campaign”, the show saw musical performances from pupils of the Babonneau, Camille Henry, Castries Seventh Day Adventist, and Vide Boutielle primary schools.

Senior dental surgeon in the ministry of health, Dr. Sherry Ephraim says the program is necessary, because Saint Lucia ranks second highest in dental disease in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Because of this, the initiative of having a school dental program was actually instituted whereby the dental team would be going to the different schools around the island to take the treatment to the children. Prior to this, the dental department was in a waiting position—waiting for parents to bring their children to the clinics—and we realized that this was not very effective.”

Dr. Ephraim says her ministry stands ready to partner with supporting agencies to implement programmes to combat dental disease in Saint Lucia.

Dental hygiene practices, she explains, should commence at an early age, and hence the ministry’s thrust towards educating pupils on the importance of oral health and good dental hygiene practices.

“Right now we are highlighting the effects of water-rinsing, because even if we are speaking about tooth-brushing and having the parents send their children to school with the toothbrush kits, we realize that a lot of children who, because of their economic situation, cannot come to school with a toothbrush. The other means we are highlighting which is free, cheap, and fun is the use of water.”

The dental department within the health ministry, will continue taking its “eat, rinse and feel the difference” message, to all schools island-wide, first targeting schools located in the south.

The dental health school show was held on April 23, 2010.

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