Oshana kicks off oral health week

Dental health practitioners in Oshana region have launched this year’s oral health awareness week.

At the official launch today in Oshakati, Dr Aino Ndakeva said that this is the time to appreciate that a healthy mouth positively enhances the quality of life, “because the simple truth is that one cannot be healthy in body with an unhealthy mouth.”

Dr Ndakeva, who is a long-serving dentist in Oshana, added that a child with an aching tooth cannot concentrate in class, and “equally an adult with a missing tooth cannot be able to chew their nutritious food. This will lead to indigestion.”

Speaking on behalf of Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge, the Deputy Mayor of Oshakati Ms Marianne Pokolo said that oral health is not an isolated luxury or secondary hygiene activity, but “a healthy mouth is a prerequisite to a healthy body.”

This year’s theme is “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body: Promoting Oral Health for Overall Wellbeing”.

During this week healthcare professionals will work together to raise public awareness of the importance of oral health and its connection to overall wellbeing.

Dr Elizabeth Hausiku-Elago stated that there will be a team of dental health and general health practitioners who will provide health services in the community from 14 to 18 September, starting with Oshakati, where there will be free oral health education, brushing technique demonstrations, as well as screening for diabetes and high-blood pressure.

The same activities will take place the following day in Ongwediva, while the team will return to Oshakati on the third day. On the fourth day the team will be in Uukwiyuushona, and in Ondangwa the next day.

The last stop will be the Correctional Facility at Oluno in Ondangwa.

The estimated total target population to be reached is 2,030.

In the photo: Dr Aino Ndakeva at the launch of the oral health awareness week.