Oyo State government, on Wednesday, flagged off a dental health mission to benefit over 5,000 pupils drawn from 13 primary schools across the State to improve the state of their oral health.

Oyo Commissioner for Health, Dr Taiwo Ladipo at the flag-off of the joint dental health mission at the Baptist Primary School Isokun, Oyo Town, said that good oral health, especially for primary school students allow for good health, successful education and reduction in incidence of poverty in the community.

The joint dental health mission in collaboration with other partners including Rotary Clubs in Oyo State, Nigerian Dental Association Oyo State and Fortune Health Plus Initiative is to afford the pupils oral examination, demonstration of tooth brushing and distribution of tubes of toothpaste and brushes. Dr Ladipo said issues that affect the oral health of children starts while they are still inside the womb and urged Nigerians to prioritize their oral health.

He added, “we want a situation where children, if well educated, will be able to do what is expected in relation to their dental care.

Once children are imparted with an intervention, they will influence others. These pupils will be enlightened on the need to regularly visit the dentists every six months, change their toothbrush every three months and wash their teeth regularly to prevent oral diseases.

“Most of us, even adults, are negligent of our dental hygiene.

The idea of seeking dental health checkup is still very low. The intervention is to get people to change their health seeking behavior, especially with regards to dental health and ensure that we have a better recourse in years to come.”

Representative of Rotary clubs in Oyo State, Mr Samuel Kolawole, stated that December is a disease treatment and prevention month in the club and as such the group’s interest in the oral hygiene of young people.

Chairperson, Nigerian Dental Association Oyo State, Dr Adesola Odofin represented by Dr Ayodeji Ajimoko stated that tooth decay is the most common dental problem in children and could lead to abscess, gum infections and the loss of the teeth.

She stated that tooth decay in baby teeth in children can cause tooth discoloration, affect their ability to eat, thereby contributing to poor diet and general and mental development in children.

Dr Olusoji Ijidale, Chief Operating Trustee of Fortune Health Plus Initiative stated that the association decided to partner with the government on the dental health mission because dental health of children in the state was poor and requires an intervention to prevent oral conditions that could mar their future.