GUAGUA, Pampanga – In line with the celebration of the National Oral Health Month, Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital (DPMMH) conducted fluoride application and distribution of dental kits to 1,900 Day Care Center students from different places in Guagua town.
This was done in cooperation with the Philippine Dental Association (PDA)-Pampanga Chapter, and the Municipal Government of Guagua through its Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO). It was held at Guagua Central Elementary School the other day.
Dr. Jocelyn Ponio, provincial dental supervisor said the DPMMH is regularly doing the activity for last seven years and has been formed part of their community extension program.
“Ang Diosdado (DPMMH) eh nasa Guagua siya, kaya nakipagcoordinate tayo with the local chief executive, the Municipality of Guagua. We are doing this for seven years already,” she said.
Dra. Ponio added that Daycare children from Poblacion I & II and Betis here underwent pre-screening and dental checkup to assess their oral fitness prior to the event.
“Pumunta kami sa mga barangay to check their teeth, pagkatapos non, nakuha naming kung ilan sa mga 1,900 na bata ang orally fit. Ibig sabihin noon, walang sirang ngipin ang mga batang iyon. Nagconduct din kami ng lectures sa mga parents, kasi importante iyong maantabayanan ang mga bata sa paglilinis ng kanilang ngipin,” she added.
Marybeth Ortiz, MSWDO head said she was thankful that they chose Guagua to be the beneficiary of the program.
“We are closely coordinating with the parents of the Daycare children to raise awareness not only in dental health but also their overall welfare,” she added.
Dr. Arnold Gulapa, president-elect of PDA-Pampanga chapter, said oral health is important but often neglected by Filipinos.
He stressed among Western Pacific countries, the Philippines ranked first in terms of tooth decay suffering level.
“According to World Health Organization, rank one na tayo in tooth decay level among Western Pacific countries, outranking India at that. So maliwanag na kailangan natin ng oral health education at structured intervention para yung frequency ng dental carries e mabawasan,” he confessed.
Dr. Gulapa also pointed out they are focusing on children to train them with good oral habit.
“Kailangan ito para pagtanda nila mapapakinabangan nila ito hanggang sa mahabang panahon,” he added.
Aside from fluoride application, they also distributed toothbrushes from Colgate-Palmolive Philippines.
Also gracing the event are Former Second District Congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo; DPMMH chief Dr. Eddie Ponio; Mayor Dante Torres; Councilors Joan Carreon, Michelle Rivera-Corpus, and Roy Sunglao. –PHILIP OCAMPO/PIO