Health ministry takes dental health campaign to schools
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Contact: Amanda-Faye Clarke
Monday, April 26, 2010 – The Ministry of Health and Wellness, through its department of dental health, has embarked on a campaign to reduce poor dental health practices by the nation’s school children.
Senior Dental Surgeon in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sherry Ephraim, says the objective is to engage pupils, teachers, and parents in interactive sessions to sensitize them on some of the latest trends in affordable, effective oral hygiene practices.
Dr. Ephraim says the established dental team has identified key areas for emphasis and will continue to work with all public schools, ensuring that school children receive necessary and timely dental intervention.
“We have different teams comprising dental assistants, dental therapists, sometimes dental surgeons themselves going into particular schools spending the entire year in schools, ensuring that they treat the children with the permission of the parents. We are seeing the improvement in the children. We have a lot of success stories!”
Dr. Ephraim also urges parents to play a greater role in ensuring their children practice the skills taught by the dental team. She says parents’ support plays a pivotal role in the ministry of health’s efforts in eradicating poor dental health among school-age children.
“The children can’t do it on their own. Parents are the ones to steer them in the right direction. The mouth is very important. We are hoping that by being in the schools and educating the children, they can take home what they have learnt and that their parents will be supportive.”
To date, the dental health department has worked with a number of schools in the north and south of the island. |
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