THE Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Colgate/Palmolive, launched Oral Health Month 2012 at Skeldon Hospital, Corentyne, Berbice.

The formality was preceded by a march around the community and the provision of dental services in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) over a two-day period.
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran announced the availability of dental training programmes provided at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre and the University of Guyana (UG).
He said, this year, four more dentists will be graduating from the UG Dental Programme, while 40 others are continuing their studies.
Minister Ramsaran said the presence of more dentists ensures the provision of dental services throughout the country and pointed out that the Health Ministry has a robust dental care programme that is facilitated by the use of the mobile unit outfitted with dental chairs.
Using that avenue takes the service to the people instead of them having to go to the dental school or elsewhere, he observed.
Apart from that, another aspect of the school programme includes available dental units in some schools, such as the North Ruimveldt Multilateral in the capital city.
He said some schools in Region Six that have benefitted from the services of the mobile unit include those at Crabwood Creek, Number 66 Village, Port Mourant and Moleson Creek.

Other successes
Minister Ramsaran also highlighted other successes in the health sector, like the delivery of eye care services at the National Ophthalmology Hospital in Port Mourant, upgrade of the Skeldon Hospital, which is currently ongoing, and the Cuban Scholarship Programme through which many Guyanese youth benefit from medical training.
Principal Dental Surgeon, Dr. Shameer Ali indicated that his team of professionals is committed to do as much as possible during the two-day activity.
He noted that the services are free of cost and include fillings, cleaning, extractions, consultations and examinations.
Ali emphasised that people need to fully understand their oral health, since it has implications linked to heart disease, diabetes, premature births and other health issues.
He urged the youth at the launch to be aware of the career opportunities in the field of dentistry, disclosing that, since the start of the training programmes six years ago, Guyana has been able to build its capacity.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo remarked that, while the medical authorities can do their bit, it is the responsibility of individuals to take their health in hand.
He explained that the mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body and tells the story of an individual’s state of health, hence it is crucial that good oral health be practised.
Mahadeo said BRHA, as a leader in Region 6 has been playing its role by carrying out several activities targeting residents. Apart from providing the usual oral health services, the BRHA ulitises the services of the dental bus to carry out its school programme.

Home visits
Another component sees dentists making home visits, as part of the homecare programme, to the elderly and bed-ridden, and pregnant women are also examined during their pregnancy.
This is the 11th consecutive year oral health month is being observed in Guyana as part of Colgate/Palmolive global campaign and it will be seeking to engage the relevant authorities, while promoting good oral health practices.
The theme for the observance is ‘Let’s Go for Zero Cavities’, encouraging people to use any one of the Colgate/Palmolive toothpastes, brush three times daily, change toothbrush every three months and visit the dentist twice yearly.