Naga opens oral health month, promotes zero-cavity

By Ana-liza Macatangay

NAGA CITY --- The city government, through the City Health Office Dental Section, kicked off the 19th National Oral Health Month celebration on Thursday, February 9th, at the People’s Hall, here.

Naga City Oral Health Month Coordinator Dr. Eric V. Pabico stated in his speech that dentists should be fully committed to delivering oral health standards, particularly in remote areas where dental services are limited and inaccessible to the majority of residents.

“Dental profession should remain proactive to promote our campaign in oral health care and delivery, with its oral health standards, such as giving free education to the community and to the public. We also provide free consultations, fluoride treatment, dental extraction, and all of the other dental services that we normally provide to the community,” Dr. Pabico explained.

Photo: AJNTapar/RTapar/PIA 5-Camarines Sur)

Philippine Dental Association (PDA)- Camarines Sur Chapter President Dra. Lani Sadang also said that the celebration aims to raise public awareness on the importance of good oral health.

“We are here. We have our city dentists to provide your dental health [needs]. Our PDA Center is operational, so if you have problems in oral health, you can visit the dental centers so you’ll pay lesser fees,” Sadang said.

As part of the celebration, the oral health unit also provided free fluoridization to the kindergarten of the Naga City Seed Montessori School.

City Health Office Supervising Dentist, Dra. Zoraida Alcera, reminded parents to take good care of their children’s teeth by using fluoride toothpaste and teaching them the proper way to brush their teeth.

“Give your kids healthy foods and supervise their toothbrush routines. Encourage them to drink water rather than sugary beverages. “We could achieve healthy zero cavity teeth for our children through these, so that when they grow older, they won’t have any [dental] problems,” Alcera explained

In keeping with the theme “Ngiting protektado,ngiting Panalo,” the dental team also performed mass oral examinations on all Nagueos of all ages. (With report from AJNicole Tapar, RaizaMae Tapar-USI Interns-PIA5/Camarines Sur)