By Chioma Obinna

Worried about the poor oral health care in the country, particularly, in the rural areas, the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Lagos State Chapter has called for establishment of Oral Primary Health care Centres (PHCs) in all the 774 local government areas across the country.

The dentists were of the view that establishment of such centres would improve the state of oral health in the country as well as create awareness on oral health diseases.

Publicity  Secretary, Lagos State NDA Dr. Ifeanyi David Azuara pointed out that if the strategy is effectively implemented it would enhance information on oral health and bringing practitioners nearer to the grassroots.

Speaking at the launch of the Clinic-to-School Tooth Brush Programme, an initiative of the NDA in Lagos State, rated oral health in Nigeria poor.

Further speaking on the programme which targets primary school children, he stressed the need for proper teaching of oral health right from primary schools.

According to him, the annual programme, which was attended by over 600 school pupils drawn from public and private schools in Agege Local Government was aimed at teaching the pupils brushing techniques, the appropriate number of tooth brushing per day and the importance of changing tooth brushes every three months.

He further explained that the Clinic-to-School Tooth Brush Programme is aimed towards bringing the clinic nearer children, especially those who are not privileged to come in contact with dental clinics because of poor oral care awareness that is pervasive in the country.

As part of follow ups, he disclosed that NDA has plans to establish primary healthcare clubs in schools that have participated in the programme in order to teach them more on oral health.

He said the would- be a primary health care club will go a long way in initiating the needed change about oral health. On how to brush, he said “While most people brush horizontally, brushing of the teeth should be up and down so that people don’t wear down the surface of the teeth.  Condemning the use of very hard brush, he said “It scratches the surface of the tooth and makes the tooth sensitive over time.”