Emirates News Agency – Launch of second phase of national oral and dental health survey for children

DUBAI, 17th May, 2020 (WAM) — Emirates Health Services Corporation has launched the second phase of the National Oral and Dental Health Survey Program “Children’s Type” – the first of many at the national and regional levels. Schools in the various emirates of the country with the aim of establishing a platform for all oral and dental diseases that represent the indicators of oral and dental health according to the World Health Organization.

Dr Essam Al Jarouni, Executive Director of the Medical Services Department at Emirates Health Services Corporation, confirmed that the National Survey on Oral and Dental Health for Children covers several essential goals. It aims to build an integrated health system that contributes to the provision of effective health services. In addition to planning curative services and comprehensive preventive programs tailored to the needs of this age group, as well as supporting national scientific research in the future, as a continuation of its efforts in the field of improving oral and dental health, the National Survey on Oral and Dental Health “Age The Foundation intends to start a “Visitor Category” scheme.

He said that the Foundation is proactive in launching initiatives and programs aimed at enhancing the quality of healthy life and the program will lead to spreading awareness among the target groups about preventive measures to reduce the risk of oral and dental diseases. The target groups follow the correct hygiene behaviors and improve the tendency to carry out initial examinations of the health of the mouth and teeth, which is in line with the company’s strategic objectives and at the same time in accordance with the guidelines of the experts. Leadership and contributing to the realization of the vision of “We are Emirates 2031”, leading to the achievement of the goals of UAE Centenary 2071.

Dr. Haifa Hannawi, Director of Dental Services at Emirates Health Services Corporation, explained that the research project falls within the framework of the Foundation’s objectives, which aims to identify the prevalence of dental caries, gum disease and malocclusion. In accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Foundation seeks to conduct a random survey by launching the second phase of the project, which will be carried out through 7 task forces distributed across the country’s emirates. 2,000 students.

He pointed out the high attendance of students in various schools in the country since the launch of the second phase, noting that the foundation will select students from government and private schools in the country. Survey among them, and the specified age range is 5 to 6 years and 12 to 15 years.

For his part, Dr. Musa Marashteh, Head of Policy and Practices, Dental Services Department, Emirates Health Services Corporation, emphasized the importance of the survey in promoting the educational role of health systems and spreading a culture of oral and dental care. The research method and survey mechanism is based on selecting a statistical sample at random according to the needs of scientific research to study the percentage of tooth decay, gum disease, defining the methods of health and prevention of dental diseases. and help identify various factors and habits that lead to malnourishment and oral and dental diseases among children.

The importance of the National Oral and Dental Health Survey Program for Children is reflected in its contribution to promoting and improving health awareness among parents after parents are informed about the importance of examination results and oral and dental health monitoring for children. and conducting periodical examinations for caries and others as one of the methods of prevention of common diseases affecting children.