In March, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre launched the Oral and Dental Health Program under slogan "Make Prevention a Mindset" during the period of the World Oral Health Day, to promote the prevention of oral diseases and reduce the burden of dental diseases in community by strengthening partnerships to raise awareness and disseminate evidence-based materials to the community.
During the aforementioned period, ADPHC shed the light on the evidence-based recommendations that contributes to enhance the oral health of the individuals, the Centre collaborated with the Ambulatory Health Services AHS within SEHA establishments together to run virtual workshops with continued medical education CME hours accredited by the Abu Dhabi Health Department attended by more than 100 healthcare professionals, the workshop included various topics on prevention of oral and dental problems for child starting from the pregnancy stage to early childhood, in addition to sessions on oral and dental problems of pregnant women, people of determination and the medically compromised individuals, due to being among the most vulnerable members of community to oral and dental problems and their repercussions.
From her side, H.E. Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said: "Improving the oral and dental health among the community of Abu Dhabi is among our public health priorities, the oral and dental health program aims to raise awareness among the community on ways to prevent oral and dental diseases, starting from instilling habits that promote primary prevention of caries among children and adults in order to avoid risk factors that lead to oral and dental diseases”. H.E. said:” The lifestyle plays an essential role in achieving the wellbeing of society, embedding oral hygiene early on in life contributes towards reducing the problems that may occur in future."
Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre has dedicated its digital platforms over social media, which have more than 350,000 followers to raise awareness of this program by publishing awareness posts, that gathered the interaction of nearly 70,000 by sharing posts and reposting to support the program.
In September, the center will cooperate with the outpatient services, one of "SEHA" establishment facilities developing a program "Preventing Early Childhood Caries ECC" which aims to increase the number of children under the age of 24 months who make a preventive visit to the dentist, by taking advantage of regular vaccination visits for children of this age group.
The program also includes strengthening the role of other specialties such as pediatricians, nurses and maternity specialists by improving the knowledge and behavior of parents regarding the health of the children’s teeth , by urging to start brushing teeth as soon as the first tooth emerges and encourage a preventive dentist visit before the age of one, in addition to promoting breastfeeding and adopting a balanced diet for the child that is free of added sugars, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry AAPD.
Also, educational posters that carry electronic educational materials scannable through QR code will also be placed across 29 centers within the Ambulatory Health Service clinics in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to promote education and awareness.
AHS – seha, invites the public and parents to book an appointment with a pediatric dentist through SEHA Call Center 80050.
AHS – Seha, welcomes parents in its specialized childcare centers, Al Mushrif Children's Specialty Center in Abu Dhabi and Al Towayya Children's Specialty Center in Al Ain, where a child receives comprehensive and integrated care to raise a healthy generation.
