adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE joins the rest of the world in commemorating oral health emphasis week with the national event set for tomorrow at Nkankezi Primary School in Insiza District. The commemorations are part of the global efforts to curb dental infections, which are reported to be on the increase.
Oral health looks at cleanliness of the mouth, teeth, gums and the tongue.
In an interview yesterday, Bulawayo Government Dental Services spokesperson Mrs Rosemary Mntungwa said all logistics were in place for tomorrow’s occasion and invited members of the public to attend in large numbers.
“Preparations for the commemorations are going on well and we are ready. We urge members of the public to come in large numbers to Nkankezi Primary School and benefit from the programme. This year’s commemorations run under the theme “Healthy Teeth for Life.”
“The programme is a culmination of the oral health awareness campaigns that we started in March this year. This is a significant week as we encourage members of the public to maintain healthy teeth,” said Mrs Mntungwa.
“After the commemorations, starting from next week, we will be giving free dental consultation at all our dental centres and we urge people to go there for checkups.”
The director of Oral Health in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Francis Sibanda and senior Government officials will grace the occasion.
Pelandaba Clinic and Mpilo Central Hospital are some of the dental centres in addition to several private dental clinics in the city.
The Bulawayo Government Dental Services also caters for patients from Matabeleland North and South.
Recently, the Government Dental Services in Bulawayo alone 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.
Mrs Mntungwa said tomorrow’s event would be punctuated by lots of entertainment in the form of drama, music, dance, poetry and speeches.
There would also be a soccer match for the day and pupils who perform well will be awarded prizes.
Online Reporter