adminThandeka Moyo Chronicle Correspondent
ZIMBABWE is facing a shortage of professional dentists and dental centres and that has resulted in the increase in oral infections, an official said yesterday. Speaking during the National Oral Health Day commemorations at Nkankezi Primary School in Insiza District, the guest of honour, Dr Njini Moyo, said oral diseases have become prevalent especially in children.
He urged the Government to prioritise oral health through availing more funding to set up dental centres.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care has been managing many childhood diseases like measles and polio. Some of these diseases have been nearly eliminated through intensive preventive health programmes.
“However, the plague of oral diseases continues to go unchecked leading to a significant loss of school hours each year as pupils miss lessons to seek dental treatment,” said Dr Moyo.
He said although no one could die from a plain toothache, dental problems could lead to a long term destructive impact on a person’s self esteem and well-being.
“Statistics from urban areas like Bulawayo and Harare show that many people lose their teeth because they visit the dentist very late. The first step is to put oral health on top of our priorities and make an effort to help Zimbabweans realise its importance,” said Dr Moyo.
Matabeleland regional oral health services officer Dr Irene Ndiweni urged members of the public to regularly visit their dentists for check up instead of going for tooth extraction only.
‘It is disappointing to note that most people visit our dental centres when their teeth are only good for extraction. Teeth are as important as eyes and any other part so people should visit us regularly.
“There are dental centres in all district hospitals and we encourage people to visit them. We did training with 92 schools in the region and we hope they will implement and spread what we taught them,” said Dr Ndiweni.
She also urged people to use the chewing stick popularly known as umtshekisane as it could be used to brush teeth where there were no tooth brushes.
Insiza education inspector Mrs Jester Gumpo said oral diseases also affect the academic output of pupils.
“As a ministry we believe in educating the child wholly and teaching them about oral health is one of our priorities. We appreciate what the oral health office is doing today and we will try to implement all we have learnt.
“I therefore urge all teachers, pupils and parents to join forces and fight tooth decay,” said Mrs Gumpo.
Insiza district administrator Mrs Sithandiwe Ncube expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Colgate Company for empowering pupils in Insiza.
“We are happy because the event was held in our district and the elderly got a chance to learn about oral health. It is important for all of us to take care of our teeth as this year’s theme ‘Healthy Teeth for Life’ encourages us’,” said Mrs Ncube.
The commemorations were punctuated by lots of entertainment in the form of music, poetry, drama and dance.
Pupils and teachers who performed well were given consolation prizes such as books, hampers, and T-shirts.
The commemorations were part of the global efforts to curb dental infections, which are reported to be on the increase.
Oral health looks at the cleanliness of the mouth, teeth, gums and the tongue.
Recently the Government Dental Services in Bulawayo reported that it was recording an average of 500 people undergoing tooth extraction per month, a development largely attributed to poor oral health care and diet.
Online Reporter