Cebu Dental group reinforces dental health awareness

THE Cebu Dental Chapter (CDC), together with its mother organization Philippine Dental Association (PDA) will culminate the month-long Dental Health Month on Feb. 26 with a series of activities and outreach programs that aim to promote dental health awareness all over Cebu.

The 12th Dental Health Month that revolves on the theme “Kalinisan ng ngipin, laging panatilihin, ugaliing kumain ng masustansyang pagkain” kicked off last Feb. 7.

CDC president Dr. Giselle Lahaylahay said this year’s celebration aims to inform the Cebuanos about dental hygiene practices and eating healthy.

“Unknown to many, the food that could damage our teeth could also affect our bodies,” she said.

“Our teeth could exhibit signs of illness that’s attacking a person’s body. Having said this, we must always take consideration of our dental health,” she added.
Lahaylahay said that tooth decay is most common among children aged seven and above and is usually caused by increased consumption of sugar and inadequate

tooth brushing.

As part of information drive, CDC gave out fliers in various parts of Cebu. The organization also partners with Juanito I. King Foundation to conduct a series of dental outreach in various public elementary schools in Cebu. CDC holds the year-round outreach programs to offer free dental services to preschool and grade school pupils such as cleaning, filling, tooth extraction, and fluoride treatment. The organization also distributes toothbrushes.

“We’ve been partnering with the Department of Education in this endeavor to help us identify the public schools. This month, we were able to visit six public schools in Cebu City where we conducted oral hygiene lectures and toothbrush distribution. Dentistry students of Cebu Doctors University and Southwestern

University also help us educate pupils about dental health,” Lahaylahay said.

The culminating activities on Feb. 26 include a bloodletting activity at the Medicine Building of Southwestern University from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and scientific lecture titled “Above and Beyond Contemporary Dentistry” by dental expert Frankie Godalle at Cebu Parklane International Hotel from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.