Nkechi Uduma
As the world observes World Oral Health Day, a dentist, Dr. Osagbemiro Babatope at the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital, has advised residents in the state to take their oral health seriously to avoid diseases such as mouth ulcer, tooth decay and mouth cancer.
Dr. Osagbemiro Babatope, stated this in an awareness campaign/workshop held at the University of Port Harcourt, Choba where they educated students on the importance of oral hygiene and dangers associated with lack of it.
Dr. Osagbemiro Babatope said some oral diseases depends on the kind of diseases one has in one’s mouth.
“The commonest one we have is the one we call tooth decay, dental caries, that means you have a whole in your teeth.
The second one is what we call Periodontitis which is an inflammation on the foundation of your teeth and once they become inflammed, they swell up and you start feeling pains”
Dr. Osagbemiro also advised residents in Rivers state not to wait till they develop tooth problem before going to see a dentist.
“It’s like having a car and not servicing it, a day would come when the car would break down because of lack of servicing.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Nigerian Dental Medical Association, Rivers state chapter, Dr. Oladimeji Akadiri has called on the state government to support the campaign financially so that more people could be reached.
“The state of oral health provision in Rivers state is very poor, apart from the teaching hospital here, we don’t have any form of tertiary oral health care.
There are nine speciality that deals with oral health in this state, So,this state needs to grow in dentistry.
Dr. Oladimeji also said the state government should give them equal opportunity given to general health care like cancer, tuberculosis and HIV. He also urged dentists in political positions to help champion this cause.
The theme for this year oral health day is”*say ahh:think mouth, think health.
