Oral Health Practitioners in Kenya have been challenged to enhance awareness campaigns by targeting the unreached population, especially in the remote areas.
This, health experts notes, will enable more people to access dental services and other necessary intervention measures. to prevent oral health complications.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Oral Health Day in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County Director of Preventive and Promotive Health Laban Kiprop said structured oral health hygiene education can play a crucial role in addressing rising dental health complications.
“We encourage oral health practitioners to do sensitization so that they can go beyond what they do at their clinics. We want them to go to schools, to marketplaces, to ensure that we protect and keep our children healthy,” said Dr Kiprop.
The director added that Uasin Gishu County would provide more dental services at all busy health centres across the county.
Meanwhile, oral health practitioners have stressed the need for Kenyans to seek timely interventions before the conditions progress into more serious ones that may require costly and aggressive treatment.
Importance of regular oral health check-ups
Led by oral health officers from Celestial Dental Centre in Eldoret, the practitioners further emphasised the need for routine oral health check-ups, saying oral health complications go beyond the mouth and can lead to other health conditions.
“Today, being an interactive day, where we were promoting the importance of oral health, we offered free consultation and check-up to over 1000 residents. From the records, most people who have been seen had poor oral hygiene. Some had gum disease. They did not know that they had it,” said Brian Maera, a director and an oral health practitioner at Celestial Dental Centre in Eldoret.
Sheillah Chepchirchir, also an oral health officer from the facility, called on Kenyans to do routine oral health care check-ups, underscoring that good oral health contributes significantly to their overall well being.
“Make sure you visit an oral health practitioner at least once after every six month,” Chepchirchir said.
This year’s theme for the oral health day was “A happy mouth is a happy life”.
Those who turned up were also screened for other ailments in an event that was jointly organised by Celestial Dental Centre, Rapha Hospitals and Clinics, and Siloam Eye Centre.
