(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
THAT’S the headline on Panay News.
Lest you might have missed the article, we are quoting the Philippine News Agency dispatch carried by our venerable newspaper:
The Department of Education (DepEd) is targeting to implement mandatory toothbrush drills for the school year 2024-2025, said Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte.
The Education Secretary underscored the significance of dental health and spreading awareness among learners.
“We target to roll it out sa field, 2024 or 2025, pero hinahabol namin ‘yung school year 2024-2025 na masali ‘yan, parang mandatory toothbrush drill instead of mandatory officers’ Reserved Officers Training [Corps] (ROTC). Dito kasi kami sa basic education,” she said.
Duterte said it is part of the program to mold the character and well-being of the children.
“Ituturo namin dito life skills, service, values, dito sa basic education, kasama ‘yung good hygiene, kasama ‘yung toothbrush drills,” she said.
Duterte said dental health is vital, considering the risks that it may pose to kids and adults once neglected.
She said dental protection is a personal advocacy, mentioning what she has learned from her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The one person that is very particular to teeth is, I don’t know if the world knows this, is President Duterte. Kaya siguro subconsciously, nakuha ko rin ‘yun kay PRD, plus ‘yung exposure ko sa trabaho ko as mayor, na nakakausap ko ‘yung mga dentista, and they always advocate na preventable naman ‘yan,” she added.
Duterte refers to preventable dental issues like tooth decay, infection, and other consequences brought by the lack of awareness of proper cleaning.
Part of the dental drills in the proposed program is the distribution of dental kits with instructional materials for proper dental cleaning, accompanied by information campaigns on the matter.
Our kids are on the way to better oral health.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
