THE MINISTRIES of Health and Education yesterday collaborated with Colgate Palmolive and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) to launch oral health month with a road march and motorcade in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. The march kicked off at 07:30h from the Mon Repos RDC (Regional Democratic Council) Road and ended at the market tarmac. Dental hygiene supplies were distributed to attendees.
This year’s observances are being held under the theme: ‘Our Children, Our Future: Promoting a Bright and Healthy Smile for Life’. 
Among participants of the colourful and well-turned-out parade were Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, residents of Mon Repos, representatives from partnering agencies and non-governmental organizations and children from various schools chanting choruses on caring teeth.                             
Minister Ramsaran, who addressed the gathering,  alluded to the  team of dentex officers from the Cheddi Jagan Dental School who  provided  free dental care for the people in the area, and in particular school children.
He also commended corporate sponsors, particularly Colgate-Palmolive, for their continued support of the Ministry’s dental care programme.                                                                        “Throughout the month of November,” Minister Ramsarran said, “we will again facilitate a series of dental checkups. Again, our objective is to reach a number people.”
The Minister said this annual event gives Guyanese the opportunity to celebrate the many achievements in the area of oral health and at the same time set new challenges, and that  similar activities will be taken to other venues, including the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) here in the city.
Major emphasis, he said, will be placed on the oral health of pregnant women, “who sometimes neglect themselves, not being aware that a simple cavity problem can lead to complications during pregnancy.”
The   Minister said his Ministry has a robust oral health programme which is being rolled out across the country in primary health facilities, with the new East La Penitence Health Centre being the latest institution, with a spanking new dental chair and a dentex, to provide oral health services to the hundreds of people seeking medical care from the institution on a daily basis.
Dr Ramsaran noted with some measure of pride that over 20 persons are being trained as dentex officers at the Cheddi Jagan Dental School, and that on completing the programme, they are eligible to move on to the University of Guyana to further their studies and become Dental Surgeons.
Other officials addressing the forum also reminded the gathering about the importance of having a healthy mouth. (GINA)