The Dental Unit of the Ministry of Health is seeking ways to improve the oral health of the population.
The unit is collaborating with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to conduct an oral health survey from 8th December 2015 to 18th February, 2016.
Chief Dental Officer, Idaline John, explained, “Poor oral health has been proven worldwide to have unfavorable effects on the general public, particularly in children. It is associated with pain, difficulty sleeping and eating and can influence children’s growth and development.
“Based on clinical observation, we realized that a number of persons –particularly adolescents and the elderly are presenting with a high level on caries, abscesses, extractions and periodontal disease. We have also noticed a high incidence of oral cancers.”
The new study will compare results from the last study conducted in 2006, and subsequently improve oral health across the country.
She continued, “The results from the 2006 survey show that 47.8% of all the surveyed children were caries-free; 38.8% of twelve year olds and 41.8% of fifteen-year olds had at least one decaying permanent tooth.
“The six-year olds had a [tendency towards] decayed, missing due to extraction or temporary filling…”
Staff of the unit is currently being trained to conduct the survey.
PAHO and the World Health Organization are recommending that six to 12 year olds in primary schools, 15-19 year olds, 35-44, and 65-74 year olds be surveyed.
The survey costs over $108,000 with $98,000 coming from PAHO.
The data will also inform an Oral Health Policy and related programmes in Dominica.
The survey is being launched on November 30th.