City dental programs level up in 2023
More oral health care programs for city dwellers are planned by the city health services office (HSO) this year, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Dental Association (PDA) and other partners.
This was reported by City Health Services Office (CHSO) Assistant Head Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes during the city hall executives’ management committee meeting, Tuesday morning.
Brillantes said activities for basic oral health care include: city dentists’ regular visits to child development centers; outreach activities in barangays with focus on stay-at home children or those not of school age; closer collaboration with Department of Education (Dep Ed) and private dentists and the Philippine Dental Association – Baguio chapter. Records of said children shall be regularly updated and monitored, it was noted.
Senior citizens shall also be given special attention, she added.
Government and private dentists should also be updated as to advanced technology and studies on oral health care, Brillantes said, which could be done through training in coordination with public and private agencies.
Oral prophylaxis of city and CHSO employees was proposed for the first and second semester of 2023, she reported.
Brillantes admitted that added funds for dental materials, anesthesia and other supplies are needed; as with a bigger budget for additional dentists in the district health facilities. As of now, there are five city dentists taking care of the city’s oral health. Dental chairs are also needed, as with a portable ultrasonic scaler for oral prophylaxis or basic oral cleaning.
Records show that children 5 – 9 y/o and youth 10 – 24 years old received more oral health care in 2022 than they did in the past four years. This is followed by infants 0-11 months old, and children 1 to 4 years old, followed by children 12 to 59 months old upon oral examination.
Pregnant women, adults 20 to 59 years old, and senior citizens were also given basic oral health care in 2022. Improved dental care is seen this year as there is less travel restriction for children and the elderly. – JGFianza
