Why is oral health important?

Oral Health is fundamental to overall health, well being and quality of life. A healthy mouth enables people to eat, speak and socialise without pain, discomfort or embarrassment.

Pain from untreated dental diseases can lead to eating, sleeping, speaking, and learning problems in children and adolescents, which affect child’s social interactions, school achievement, general health, and quality of life. Rampant dental caries in children adversely affect the overall nutrition necessary for the growth of the body specifically body weight and height. That begins with the first bite and chewing the food efficiently.

What are the most common oral health illness of the Filipinos.

Dental Caries (tooth decay) and Periodontal Diseases (gum diseases) are the two most common oral health diseases affecting the Filipinos. 92% Filipinos are suffering from dental caries while 78 % has gum disease.

How do we prevent these two dental diseases from occurring?

There are many ways these two most common dental diseases can be prevented.

Dental caries can be prevented through regular visits to the Dentist for early diagnosis and preventive care, eating well balanced diet and minimize eating sugary foods, use of fluorides and sealants and good plaque control through regular toothbrushing and flossing.

Gum diseases can be prevented through regular visits to the dentist for early detection and treatment, regular and proper toothbrushing and healthy lifestyle such as avoidance of tobacco smoking, drugs and alcohol

What are the oral health programs of the government regarding the promotion of oral health and prevention of these two ora

The Department of Health, Department of Education, DSWD, DILG, LGUs and Non-government organozations such as the Philippine Dental Association, Academe and other civic groups are collaborating and linking each other for the oral health needs and concerns of the Filipinos. The DOH together with the LGUs is implementing the Orally Fit Child program for under-six Filipinos which includes development of positive behavior such as promoting toothbrushing and healthy diet and relief of pain and discomfort due to dental caries though filling of cavities, extraction of unsavable tooth and treatment of post-operative infections. For the young people (adolescent and youth), services includes counseling on the risks of tobacco smoking, alcohol and drugs to oral health. For pregnant women and the elderly, services includes gum treatment, restoration of decayed tooth and extraction of unsavable tooth.

DepEd is prioritizing school aged children with preventive and promotive services ranging from the use of fluorides and sealants, atraumatic restorative treatment to restore cavities, toothbrushing and incorporating good oral health behaviors in the education curriculum.

The NGOs accepts referrals from government facilities and caters other adults.

How can one avail of the services?

The services of the DOH and the LGUs can be availed at the Health Centers and Government Hospitals. Oral examination and other health education and information and toothbrushing activities can be availed during Garantisadong Pambata, Children’s Months and other health activities in your area.

For pregnant women, you must visit the dental clinic during your pre-natal check-ups.

DepEd services ca be availed in the school health clinics and during school health days celebrations such as children’s month and Dental Health Months.

Is the services mentioned all available and free at the health centers, hospitals and schools?

These services provided by the government should be free. However, the government especially the local government units do not have the budget for all these services so only part of the services is being provided. Some health facilities require the patient to shell out small amount to buy some of the dental supplies and medicines for the treatment.

These is also the reason why government services is prioritizing the poor, marginalized and risks Filipinos.

With limited budget for oral health, how can the govt intensify its health promotion activities to reduce illness prevalence?

The DOH is linking with and building on existing health promotion approaches to promote oral health such as:

Integrating ORALLY FIT CHILD concepts, messages and indicators in the maternal and child health and nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs and activities because :

If the proportion of breastfeeding mothers increases to 80% there would be a 3% increase in the proportion of five year olds with no tooth decay experience, and a reduction in mean dmft for this age group by 2%

Common risk factor approaches such as avoidance of tobacco smoking, alcohol and drugs to prevent periodontal disease which is also the risk factors of other non-communicable diseases such as CVD, diabetes, cancer and etc.

Is oral health services part of the Philhealth benefits?

Right now, only oral health illness that requires hospitalization like oral-maxillofacial surgeries such as removal of cysts, fractures, removal of impacted tooth and the likes is part of the benefits. The DOH is hoping that some essential oral services be part of the out-patient benefits such as oral prophylaxis, fillings and extraction.