Oral Health Month ‘Let’s Aim for Superior Oral Health’ 98.3% of Malaysians Need Some Form of Oral Healthcare

Dr. Khairiyah Abd. Muttalib, principal director of the Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health along with VIPs from Colgate-Palmolive and Malaysian Dental Association at the free dental check-up booth 

  

Do you know that 98.3% of Malaysians need some form of oral healthcare according to the 2010 National Oral Health Survey of Adults (NOHSA 2010). I was taken aback when I get to know about this statistic.

April welcomes Oral Health Month, an annual campaign ‘Let’s Aim for Superior Oral Health’ which aims to educate Malaysians on the importance of good oral care habits, particularly dental visits for a healthier life. The decade-long campaign is a collaborations between Colgate and the Malaysian Dental Association, supported by the Ministry of Health.

(L – R): Dr. Haja Badrudeen Sirajudeen, president of the Malaysian Dental Association; Dr. Khairiyah Abd. Muttalib, principal director of the Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health and John Hazlin, managing director of Colgate-Palmolive Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia launched the 10th Oral Health Month this year with a holistic goal, ‘Let’s Aim for Superior Oral Health’

In the past nine years, Oral Health Month offered free dental check-ups nationwide and promoted healthy oral care habits with the goal, ‘Our Mission: Zero Cavities’. This year, the campaign reinforces its goal to ‘Let’s Aim for Superior Oral Health’ bringing the importance of oral health to a higher level for Malaysians.

This is a timely and significant move for Oral Health Month. The Ministry of Health’s 2010 National Oral Health Survey of Adults (NOHSA) revealed startling findings and calls for a more holistic approach to oral care. 

According to the 2010 National Oral Health Survey of Adults (NOHSA 2010): 

• 52.4% thought they had good oral health although 98.3% needed some form of oral healthcare

• 88.9% have dental caries

• 94.0% have gum problems

• 7.3% have lost all their natural teeth

• 24.7% have dental prostheses, while 45.9% need them

• 32.9% thought a dental visit is a ‘fearful experience’

• Only 27.4% had a dental visit in the past year

Children under the auspices of Persatuan Kebajikan Generasi Gemilang (PKGG) 

Also present at the 10th anniversary launch of Oral Health Month were children under the auspices of Persatuan Kebajikan Generasi Gemilang, who were specially invited in support of instilling good oral care habits at an early age. The children, who were mostly 10-year-olds, received free dental check-ups, learned proper tooth brushing and enjoyed fun educational games.

The launch of Oral Health Month includes the entire family and sets off an entire month of free dental check-ups throughout Malaysia. There will be nationwide road shows where the public will get to enjoy expert advice, oral health information and tutorials, kids’ education zone with games, live tooth brushing demonstrations and free Colgate product samples.  Complementing the road shows will be 805 participating dental clinics nationwide where the public can receive their free dental check-ups. 

As an added incentive to the public, Colgate is also launching the Oral Health Month Dental Check-Up Photo Contest, which gives the public a chance to win exciting prizes by simply visiting participating dentists from today until the 28th of April 2013. For more information on the Dental Check-Up Photo Contest, Oral Health Month activities, and full list of dental clinics and road shows, please visit www.facebook.com/ColgateMY