February is National Dental Health Month

THE nation marks the 14th National Dental Health Month ( NDHM) Celebration from February 1-28 of this year with the theme, Ngiting Inaruga mula Pagkabata, Malusog na Ngiti dala sa Pagtanda’. The month-long celebration is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 559 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in February 2004. The Philippine Dental Association through its National President Dr, Mark Villalobos is spearheading the nationwide activities prepared by NDHM Chairman Dr, Cheryl Del Rosario with the Luzon Kick Off at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on January 28, 2018, the Visayas Kick Off in Dumaguete City and Koronadal City in Mindanao. In its efforts to create social awareness and consciousness on the importance of Oral Healthcare, there will be several regional kick offs also in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, in Santiago, Isabela, Tarlac City and Naga City in Camarines Sur. On February 7, 2018, the Camarines Sur Dental Chapter through its President Dr Engielyn Nagrampa, will host the Region V-Bicol Kick off starting with a Holy Mass at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral at 6:00 a.m. to be followed by a Motorcade along the major streets of Naga going to the Parking Lot at LCC Mall for the Opening Ceremonies with PDA President Dr Mark Villalobos as Guest of Honor and City Mayor John Bongat as the Keynote Speaker. Invited audience are the pupils of Barangay Sabang and their parents. After the short program, there will be a Regional On the Spot Poster Making Contest to be participated in by High School Students Entries from the 6 provinces of Bicol as well as the Mom and Me Contest. PDA President Villalobos in his message during the NDHM Opening Ceremonies last January 28, 2018 emphasized the importance of instituting oral health care program nationwide to curtail the very alarming rate of 90% of Filipino having serious teeth problems. He called on the local dental chapters and affiliate societies to coordinate with the Local Government Units and Non-Government Organizations on programs that would address the worsening oral problems especially in the rural areas. Alongside the NDHM Activities is the National Campaign against illegal practitioners which put the lives of the patients in danger under the care of unlicensed dentists. Over the last 8 months, the PDA has conducted 21 Entrapment Operations nationwide in coordination with the PNP and the NBI. This is a record-high achievement of in the history of the Philippine Dental Association under the outstanding stewardship of Dr, Villalobos and the Committee on Illegal Practice which is co-chaired by Camarines Sur Chapter’s Chairman of the Council of Past Presidents Dr. Jessie Albeus. The 14th NDHM aims to encourage the populace to give importance to their oral health by Visiting their Dentists every 6 months for dental check-up, oral prophylaxis(cleaning), fillings and other procedures and for the LGU’s to take the lead in Preventive Dentistry Programs for public schools and in the barangays.