19 Sep 2018

Residents of Mababe in the North West District have been encouraged to adopt good oral hygiene practices.

Speaking during Oral Health Day organised by Ngami District Health Management Team (DHMT) at Mababe, dental specialist of Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital, Dr Daniel Kirway said good care of the mouth, teeth and gums was important for everyone regardless of age. Although limited in the country, Dr Kirway encouraged the community to utilise available oral healthcare services, adding that 60 per cent had access to such.

The DHMT, he said wished to have oral health services in all health centres in the district and that Shakawe primary hospital currently under construction would have a full package inclusive of oral clinic. He said the community in the Okavango vicinity would have the opportunity to access services nearer.

Once operational, Dr Kirway said the new hospital would make efforts to start outreach teams, which would visit villages to spread the message on the importance of oral health. Dr Kirway said Seronga clinic used to have a dental unit, but due to underutilisation, was relocated to Maun.

DHMTs in the district, he said worked closely together to ensure every Motswana was reached and sensitised on oral health.

Further, he urged the community to understand the connection between oral health and general well-being. Maun Administrative Authority Sub-council chairperson, Mr Moedi Modiegi said the burden of oral diseases in Botswana was on the increase, especially in rural areas with the most prevalent being dental caries followed by periodontal disease.
 

Twenty per cent of the population, he said, remained untreated. Mr Modiegi however, appreciated that government through DHMTs was making it possible for communities to be screened and treated early for oral diseases.

He said every year, Ngami DHMT embarked on a programme whereby a village with a population of 1 500 received a full package inclusive of oral health screening, treatment, health education, workshops and stakeholder symposium for village committees to increase knowledge. The initiative started in 2016/17 at Phuduhudu and was rolled out to other villages such as Samochima in 2017/18. Ends