OCTOBER has been set aside to raise awareness of proper oral health care and the Northern Cape Department of Health will be encouraging communities to pay extra attention to their daily dental routines.
“Two of the world’s most common health problems affect the mouth - cavities and gum disease,” explained the spokesperson for the department, Lebogang Majaha.
“The main objective for oral health month is to promote oral health and health education.”
In line with the theme “It All Starts Here”, Majaha said that the emphasis will be on Grade R pupils and children attending crèches as the target group.
According to MEC Lebogang Motlhaping, the earlier oral health awareness is encouraged among children the easier it is for them to grow and develop the necessary oral health care knowledge and skills.
“The early years of a child’s life are a time when they acquire concepts, skills, and attitudes that lay the foundation for lifelong learning,” the MEC said.
For the previous financial year, the department performed a total of 54 507 dental headcounts, 50 292 tooth extractions, 15 tooth fissure sealant 1st or 2nd permanent molar (child) and 1 005 tooth restorations in the Province.