World Oral Health Day: Dentists tasks govt on oral health funding

The National Secretary Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Ukachi Nnawurhe has tasked the Federal and State Government to ensure that Oral Health is given proper funding in terms of resources, man power, incorporation of administration and policy structure.

He said if this is achieved it will promote oral health services and ensure that it is brought to primary health care level where all Nigerians will have access to it.

Nnawurhe stated this recently in Jos during a Free Oral Health Care Service delivery to two local communities in Jos South, an event organised by the Nigerian Dental Association, Plateau State Branch, to mark the World Oral Health Day (WOHD).

According to him: “Oral health care is hardly found in the primary health centers which have direct access to people in the communities and as an association we are passionate that oral health gets to the grassroots level.

“To push this we decided to design a programme tailored to reach people at their locality to ensure they have access to good oral health”, he said.

On his part, the State Chairman, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Basil Ojukwu, reiterated that the free oral health care to communities is aimed at enhancing oral health especially among rural dwellers.

Ojukwu said WOHD celebration in Plateau is also targeted at empowering people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health.

“The world marks the WOHD yearly on every March 20. It is a day, we ask the world to unite to help reduce the burden of oral diseases, which affect individuals, health systems and economies everywhere. The main purpose is to empower people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health.

“This year, we want to inspire change by focusing on the importance of oral health at every stage of life, because no matter what age you are, caring for your mouth and looking after your oral health is important. This is because the mouth plays roles in eating, speech, socialisation, self-confidence, general well-being and quality of life at different stages of life”, Ojukwu said.

Our correspondent reports that the beneficiary communities from Jos South are fwolkwi and Gura-Suga, where Mrs. Elizabeth Dakerem and Mr. Dung Chuwang are among beneficiaries who appreciated the Nigerian Dental Association for the gesture.