19 Oct 2017

Serowe Administrative Authority, deputy district commissioner, Mr Charles Modise has called on residents of Serowe to make the World Oral Health Day 2017, a platform to heighlight their efforts on oral health issues.

Mr Modise said this at the Oral Health Day Commemoration organised by the Serowe District Health Management Team (SDHMT) recently.

“We need to help in the fight for smart oral health decisions for everyone young and old in order to live mouth smart,” he said.

He noted that the theme: Live Mouth Smart, placed emphasis on the decisions that people took about oral health throughout their life by preventative measures such as good oral hygiene, regular check-ups and by managing oral disease risk factors which included smoking and high alcohol and sugar intake. He also noted that they were identical to other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

“In a nutshell, the oral health day provides an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage individuals, families, communities and government to take measures to lower the incidence of oral diseases,” he said.

Mr Modise also noted that the World Dental Federation has  ranked oral diseases among the most common chronic diseases, adding that worldwide 90 per cent of the population was at risk of some form of oral disorders, ranging from periodontal deseases and tooth decay to oral cancer.

“The World Health Organisation reports that tooth decay affects between 60 and 90 per cent of both the youth and adult populations respectively throughout the year,” he said.

On a study closer at home, he said a study carried out in 200/2001 in Botswana found that tooth decay was the most prevalent oral disease amongst the 65-75 year-old group with 47 per cent of them having experienced toothache.

Mr Modise also noted that the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MHW) was working hard to promote, achieve and maintain acceptable oral health within communities through self-reliance and self-care by individuals and communities.

“This is done through a comprehensive primary oral health care strategy that aims to build social capital and improve the sustainability of oral health programmes through community participation,” he said.

He said the Botswana National Health Policy also emphasised promotive and preventative health services including oral health, saying it was in line with the current paradigm shift to prevention as a hall mark of health care provision in the country.

“We all owe it to ourselves to take personal responsibility for our health. Simple steps such as regular dental check-ups, reducing the intake of sugary foods, drinks and limiting our consumption as well as cutting down on tobacco use and intake of alcohol will go a long way in preventing dental diseases,” he said.

Mr Modise further said this year the SDHMT had involved communities with special needs, adding that pupils, teachers and guardians from Makolwane and Motsetshwane primary schools, Sjapie Aerozone Club, to join the global community in commemorating the oral health day.

He said the collaboration demonstrated the contribution of other entities besides the ministry in promoting good oral health practices. He added that it also exhibited the partnership that SDHMT embraced in improving health outcomes.ENDS