‘Dubai Healthy Smiles’ launched

DUBAI — A dental screening programme that will reach out to school students and gather data on the status of oral hygiene in the emirate was launched on Thursday.

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Published: Sat 18 Jun 2011, 12:41 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 7:35 AM

The Dubai Health Authority will also conduct an awareness initiative across schools and other remote areas using mobile dental units which will be launched at the end of this year.

Dr Tariq Khoory, Director of Dental Services, Primary Health Care Sector, said, “The units will be equipped with an x-ray section and will have other state-of-the-art facilities.”

“They will be designed to have a clinic set-up. We will use this unit to carry out our preventative services such as fluoride varnishing as well as curative services such as basic caries restoration.”

The campaign known as ‘Dubai Healthy Smiles,’ was launched at the Dubai Centre for Special Needs and is a joint collaboration between DHA and Unilever’s brand Signal.

“The aim of this campaign is to reach out to all sections of society, especially children and educate them about the importance of oral hygiene because they are more likely to carry these habits into adulthood,” said Ahmad Bin Kalban, CEO of Primary Health Care.

Over the course of the next one year, the campaign shall reach out to the community through awareness initiatives in governmental departments, schools, women’s clubs and associations, DHA primary health care centres and geriatric centres.

Dr Nadia Mohammed Saleh, Assistant Director of Dental Services, Primary Health Care said, “We find that there is a high incidence of dental decay and this can be prevented by following a high standard of oral hygiene.”

“We will then compile data of the screenings to get information about the number of school children with caries, missing teeth and fillings.”

For school students between the ages three and 11, the DHA will use special dental toys to demonstrate how to brush teeth correctly. Special attention will also be paid to patients who are medically compromised, diabetic and geriatric patients.

news@khaleejtimes.com


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