In observance of the 19th National Oral Health Month with the theme “Ngiting Protektado, Ngiting Panalo!” The Municipal Health Office of Lanuza headed by Dr. Alberto A. Antonio Jr. MD, MBA (Municipal Health Officer/DTTB) has successfully celebrated and organized the Dental Awareness Activity last February 23, 2023 (Thursday) at the Lanuza Central Elementary School located in Barangay Zone IV, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur in partnership with the Department of Education, Provincial Health Office- Surigao del Sur, Philippine Dental Association- Surigao del Sur Chapter, Department of Education Lanuza District, and is supported by the Local Government Unit of Lanuza to culminate the month-long event.
Joining Dr. Antonio Jr. are Dr. Juanita Gelbolingo (Municipal Health Dentist- Lanuza) who officially opened the event with the acknowledgment of the visitors including Dr. Merla T. Cubero (Provincial Dental Coordinator) as the Resource Speaker. Moreover, messages were also given by Ms Gemmalynda P. Montenegro, MAED PIII (School District In-Charge- Lanuza Central Elementary School), Ms Celsa Casa (Secretary to the Mayor), and Ms Analyn R. Teves (P-1, School Head- Lanuza Central Elementary School).
In his message, Dr. Antonio Jr. expressed and extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Education Lanuza District, the parents and learners, and the extended agencies for allowing the MHO to strengthen the promotion of dental home and aims to develop appropriate interventions for the betterment of the dental health of the Learners and students.
Although preventable, these diseases affect almost every Filipinos at one point or another in his or her lifetime. In the Municipality of Lanuza, the oral health status of the children is somewhat alarming. As of February 2023, the MHO Lanuza investigated the oral health status of the public elementary school learners. It revealed that 82.4% of the learners from Grade 4 to Grade 6 or 262 out of 318 learners from 4 public elementary schools suffer from tooth decay while only 17.6% or 56 of which are caries-free.
With this event, the program aims to strengthen the dental awareness of the students and learners, and to impart the importance of dental home as oral disease continues to be a serious public health problem in the country. Also, it empower and make them responsible by taking good care of their personal oral health for an enhanced quality of life.
Provision of Basic Oral Health Care services such as Fluoride Varnish Application, Permanent Filling, and Tooth Extraction were conducted during the activity together with the following individuals who managed to:
- Fluoride Varnish
Dr. Merla T. Cubero (Provincial Dental Coordinator)
Dr. Glenda Pejero (Lanuza- Private)
Dr. Avelina K. Suarez (Carmen- Private)
Dr. Rebecca V. Estrada (Lanuza- Private) - Permanent Filling
Dr. Evan M. Japson (Rural Health Unit- Madrid)
Dr. Cresdel Jane V. Correos (Rural Health Unit- Carrascal) - Extraction
Dr. Julyn P. Derigay (Madrid District Hospital)
Dr. Caroline E. Bendanillo (Adela Serra Ty Memorial Hospital)
Dr. Yvonne Carol F. Alameda (Marihatag Hospital)
A total of 223 learners from Grade 1 to Grade 6 have received the Free dental services. From this, 181 learners from Grade 1 to Grade 4 have received fluoride varnish application, 52 learners from Grade 3 to Grade 6 have received tooth extraction while 2 learners received permanent tooth filling.
Additionally, brushing of teeth drill, and distribution of toothbrush and toothpaste for the kindergarten students were conducted during the activity. A total of 38 kindergartens received the dental kits; 20 kindergarten from Ms Christine T. Hioko (Teacher III) and 18 kindergarten from Ms Lady Jane G. Febra (Teacher II).
Also present to the Free Dental Services were Ms. Rubylin Orillaneda (Dental Aide), Ms Rose Amor R. Calmares, RN (District Nurse), Mr Clement Dampal II (MHO- Health Education & Promotion Officer) assisting the event.
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