ITANAGAR, Oct 16: The Arunachal Pradesh State Dental Council (APSDC) in collaboration with the Indian Dental Association – Arunachal Pradesh state branch launched the school dental health programme with a motive to create awareness about oral health, hygiene and dental care at the Arunodaya Higher Secondary School here on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the programme, Director of Health Services (DHS) Dr Moromor Lego spoke about the impact of oral hygiene on general health.
Deputy Director of Health Services (Dental) cum APSDC Registrar Dr Joram Nisha said that the primary aim of the programme is to create awareness about oral health.
“Ages 6 to 12 is the most vulnerable period for dental caries (tooth decay), which is one of the common non-communicable diseases and leading cause of children missing classes, and inculcating good oral habit is the most important preventive measure,” Dr Nisha informed.
Senior Dental Surgeon Dr Lala Wage spoke about the importance of oral health and awareness among general public, while principal in-charge of the school Tumngam Lovi Nyodu spoke about the necessity of starting oral health care in early childhood.
Twenty dental surgeons screened 247 students of the school for dental caries, gum problems, malocclusion, mouth ulcer, oral cancer etc during the launch programme and distributed free toothbrushes and toothpastes on the occasion.
Oral hygiene and brushing techniques were demonstrated by Dr Tage Tamo, Secretary, IDA -APSB. Smile contest was also organised among the children and prizes were given away to three children with the best oral hygiene.
