South East breaking News
The Nigerian Medical Association has disclosed that millions of people across the globe suffer from poor oral health, saying that the growing burden of oral disease demands action.
The Chairman ,Nigerian Medical Association, Abia state chapter ,Dr Mrs Iwuoha ,who made the disclosure at the oral health outreach organised by NMA Abia state in commemoration of the world oral health day ,with the theme, ‘Say Ahh : Act on Mouth Health’ ,held at the federal Medical Centre Umuahia ,noted that the health indices in the state are not alienated from that of the nation as a whole ,pointing out that a robust health care system will create room for a healthy manpower to propel the development of the state ,adding that to achieve such a health system ,all hands must be on deck .
Iwuoha said NMA Abia state joined the rest of the world to mark the world oral health day ,saying that the aim is to raise awareness about oral health and the burden of oral diseases .
She said ,” we decided to focus on secondary school students because they are very good agents of change .At this event at least 300 senior secondary school students ( 20 each from 15 schools ) will be reached with correct and adequate information on oral health .In addition ,they will all have a free dental health check and those requiring treatment will be attended to ”
The NMA Abia state Boss ,maintained that , ” the hundreds of students you are seeing here are going to be our mouthpiece to their entire schools ,to their communities, to their parents ,guardians and neighbors ,so we have seen them as the potential source of the campaign”
Speaking to the press men ,the commissioner for Education ,Professor Ikechi Mgboji ,described the event as highly impacting, saying that the students will be challenged.
Mgboji ,who was represented by Dr Mrs Ngozi Iheukwumere,said education is very important and help people take good decisions.
Addressing newsmen ,one of the guest at the event ,High Royal Highness Eze Dr Ndimele ,noted that the event is important ,because it serves as reminder for people to take care of their mouth and teeth ,adding that if someone has disease ,the first place it shows is in the mouth.He cautioned the public to desist from patronizing quacks ,saying that application and consumption of their concoctions could cause cancer .
In his speech, the Managing Director ,Abia specialist hospital, Professor Uwa Iweha ,said that the event is important because , ” we have to eat every day and there is no reason why the food should be done and we can not eat because we have dental problems, if we take care of our teeth ,we will eat well and be healthy “
In the same vein ,the Head of department of dental sector Federal Medical Centre and chairman Abia state Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Innocent Iwegbu ,said ” the event focus on good oral health .We recommending toothpaste that have fluorides, local chewing sticks are quite good ”
He urged people to avoid taking some of those things advertised on the street ,saying they are very harmful to the body .
In their separate speeches ,some of the participants, Mrs Chuta Blessed of Ibeku high school and Mrs Onyeabo Vivian of Nnono High school applauded the NMA for organizing the seminar ,saying both teachers and students have benefited from it ,while a student of Ibeku high school ,Ogbonnaya Munachi ,thanked the organisers of the program ,while promising to make of the information given to them.
Earlier in their lectures, Dr Ohondu Ogbonna and Dr Chimaroke ,explained the components of teeth ,and the need to take proper care of the teeth ,saying “what goes on in your mouth can affect the entire body ,adding that oral health can affect the body and mental condition. Most diseases in the body have different manifestations in the mouth “
Dr Chimaroke in particular ,revealed that ” To many people ,a dental visit is about getting their teeth cleaned ,having a tooth pulled or getting a filling ,however ,a dental visit is not just about teeth ,it is about your overall health “
He outlined some of the conditions that can be complicated by an infections to include, gum diseases ,breast cancer,prostate cancer diabetes ,among others .He challenged people to practice good and healthy oral practices ,such as brushing after meals ,eat foods that promotes remineralization low sugar diet and visit dentist regularly.