DHA conducts dental awareness campaign

With an aim to educate school children about the importance of oral hygiene the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is conducting awareness and screening campaign. Ahmad Bin Kalban, CEO of Primary Healthcare at the DHA, said these campaigns are part of the long-term awareness and screening initiatives to educate various sections of the society, especially children about the importance of oral hygiene. DHA is using fully equipped mobile dental buses with the latest technology to reach t to students. DHA dentists conducted educational workshops using cartoon characters. Dr Khaled Fargali, Head of General Dentistry Section at the DHA, said, "The campaigns comprised of lectures, demonstrations and distribution of educational materials. For school children between the ages of 3 to 11 years, we used special dental toys to demonstrate how to brush one's teeth correctly." The first group of children that were approached by DHA were the grade 3 students of Al Ittihad School and the Emirates Down Syndrome Association. Dr Tariq Khoory, Director of Dental Services, Primary Health Care Sector, at the DHA, said, "This campaign was carried out with a specific focus on children because it is a known fact that oral health and hygiene should begin at a young age and educating the youth will ensure that they carry these habits into adulthood.” The campaign also educated mothers and encouraged them to look into the oral hygiene of their children. Dr Nadia Mohammed Saleh, Assistant Director of Dental Services, Primary Health Care, at the DHA, said, "Through this campaign, we educated mothers and teachers to ensure they take on a more active role in educating their children about how to maintain healthy teeth and gums by practicing life-long regular oral care.” The campaign will also be conducted in remote and rural areas, women’s club within this year.  Special needs children will also be medically examined. In addition to spreading awareness about oral hygiene, children will also be educated about dietary care. This will ensure that children are aware of the negative impact that junk foods, aerated drinks and sweets have on their teeth.