CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — In response to the alarming survey that 98 percent of the Filipino children are suffering from tooth decay, Governor Lilia Nanay Pineda initiated on Friday the first among the series of dental mission this year wherein almost one thousand children and pregnant mothers benefited from the said oral health activity.
In line with the celebration of the 11th National Dental Month, the dental mission with the theme, “Nakangiti ang Kinabukasan kapag Ngipin ay Pinangalagaan”, held at Benigno Aquino Hall was spearheaded by the Provincial Health Office in cooperation with the Philippine Dental Association – Pampanga Chapter, dentists of district hospitals and rural health units.
Pregnant women from Bacolor and this city were given free oral examination while elementary students from the barangays of Sta. Nino, San Pedro Cutud, Sta lucia, and San Juan received free oral examination, supervised tooth brushing drills, topical fluoride therapy, toothbrush and toothpaste.
Dr. Imelda Ignacio, Provincial Health Officer I, said this will be the first among the series of dental and medical missions which will also be conducted not only in San Fernando but in the entire province.
Dr. Thricia Sunglao, president of the Philippine Dental Association Pampanga Chapter, lauded Gov. Pineda for providing utmost attention to oral health care which is the least priority of many Filipino families.
“Natutuwa kami dahil binibigyan ni Gov ng halaga ‘yung oral health care. Ang gusto natin ma-educate ‘yung mga buntis at ‘yung ating mga kabataan ng tamang pangangalaga ng ngipin.”
Glacy Salalila, one of the patients and is on her fourth month of pregnancy was thankful to the governor.
“Nagpapasalamat po kasi marami po kayong natutulungan na buntis at nalaman po namin ‘yung kahalagahan ng oral health,” Salalila said.
By Liezel Cayanan
