The Directorate of Oral Health of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) today celebrated “World Oral Health Day” with the provision of free dental screening to over 200 patients at the hospital. The day is observed on the 20th of March every year to raise global awareness on issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene.

The theme for this year’s celebration was “BE PROUD OF YOUR MOUTH”. The program started at exactly 8:30 a.m.  When staff of the directorate commenced the provision of free dental screening for patients on the hospital premises and educated the general public on the importance of maintaining good oral health using various techniques.

Ms. Irene Owusu, Principal Physician Assistant, led the education of patients at the main Out Patient Department (O.P.D) on the importance of one’s teeth, causes of tooth decay and healthy way of brushing the teeth.

Four centres were made available for this screening, namely, Family Medicine Directorate (Polyclinic) car park, the frontage of the main OPD, Accident and Emergency centre and the Hospital’s fire station.

In an interview, Dr. Mabel Delali Azumah, Paediatric Dentist of the directorate, stated that “for the best of smiles and breathe one should be very concerned about his or her oral health”. She urged the general public not to only visit the dentist when they have an oral problem, but rather make it a habit to do so at regular intervals.

 The Acting Head of Directorate, Dr. Edinam Yaw Gaveh, listed some of the healthy tips for maintaining oral hygiene as regular brushing of teeth. “It is a healthy practice to visit your dentist regularly. Practice good oral health by brushing twice daily and eating good and healthy balanced diet”, he advised.

Source: Ghana/Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah