20th National Dental Health Month: Commemorating decades of putting healthy, bright smiles on Pinoys

MARKING the continued success of the combined efforts of the national government, dental communities and stakeholders in promoting good oral health in the country, Filipinos now have more reasons to smile as the entire nation observes the 20th National Dental Health Month (NDHM) this February with the theme “Celebrating Decades of Healthy Smiles.”

NDHM started in 1951 as a National Dental Health Week. It became a month-long celebration under the Presidential Proclamation No. 559 series of 2004, giving much emphasis and attention to the importance of oral health.

“This occasion not only marks a significant milestone since the Presidential Proclamation No. 559 in 2004, but also underscores the pivotal role that oral health plays in the overall well-being of our nation,” Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa said in his recorded speech televised during their kick-off event held at the Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City last January 28, 2024.

“The NDHM Bente celebration also serves as a testament of our shared commitment in promoting good oral health practices and creating a nation with healthy smiles,” NDHM Bente Chairman Dr. Alvin M. Laxamana added.

By the numbers

THE two most common oral health diseases in the Philippines are dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal diseases (gum diseases).

Based on the initial results of DOH’S 2018 National Survey on Oral Health, 73 percent of Filipinos suffer from dental caries, of which 83 percent come from the age of five to 12; as 43 percent of the population have gum diseases. Such figures for tooth decay and periodontal diseases, however, have gone down to 24 percent and 26 percent, respectively, compared to 2014.

“These reflect not only the journey we have traveled for 20 years, but also the lasting impact we have made on the oral health of our fellow Filipinos,” Laxamana noted. “While it’s encouraging to see a reduction of dental disease prevalence, it is important to acknowledge that there is room for improvement.”

One of the things to work on in so far as improving public oral health is concerned is the challenge that extends beyond affliction since accessibility to dental services remain an obstacle for four out of 10 Filipinos who do not have access to dental care, according to the DOH chief.

“Oral diseases not only affect the quality of life, but also contribute to other health concerns. A healthy smile is not just an aesthetic consideration. It is a fundamental aspect of overall health and well-being,” he explained.

Shared responsibilities

BRINGING a healthy, beautiful smile on the face of every Filipino is everybody’s business.

Recognizing the urgency of tackling oral health issues, the DOH, being the state’s arm that is responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services by all Filipinos, has implemented strategies to address this problem in the pursuit of Universal Health Care through the health sector’s 8-Point Action Agenda.

“The oral health program is integrated in the general health services at all levels of care. The main direction of the program is towards improving access to dental treatment and preventive services, promoting oral health awareness, addressing the root causes of oral health problems in order to bridge the gaps, and making oral health becomes a reality for all,” Herbosa said.

For its part, the Philippine Dental Association’s (PDA) Milyong Sipilyo, Angat Ngiting Pilipino program, which started in 1987, aims to collect a million toothbrushes to distribute in all public schools nationwide. Given this, each of the 120 chapters of this nonstock, nonprofit organization all over the country needs to raise at least 10,000 toothbrushes to fulfill their mission.

To help realize this project, Colgate Palmolive Philippines Inc. signed with the PDA during the launch of NDHM Bente a Memorandum of Agreement for their partnership to this initiative.

“We are very lucky to have a lifetime partner. For the whole program, Colgate has pledged to donate 4.7 million toothbrushes. Initially, we will [soon] distribute 1.7 million toothbrushes,” PDA President Dr. Emmanuel T. Centeno bared.

This cause forms part of the Bright Smiles, Bight Futures (BSBF) program of Colgate, the leading oral care brand in the country. The BSBF has touched the lives of more than a billion of children in over 80 countries around the world. In the Philippines, it has benefitted over 40 million school children in the past 25 years. Since 1997, the program has reached over 37,000 public schools, 700 daycare centers across 390 cities and municipalities.

“With the help of our partners, the PDA, Colgate’s BSBF program pledges to improve the oral health of Filipinos and work towards eliminating cavities through instilling in children effective oral care habits at a critical time when they’re forming lifelong health habits,” Colgate Palmolive Philippines Inc. Director of Marketing Oral Care Nica Marquez Whang said.

“Through the BSBF, children learn how to properly brush their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste like Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection, and they also get free access to dental services that would otherwise have been out of mind and our of reach. For example, proper and regular application of fluoride varnish and the regular dental checkups,” she added.

Pipelined activities

FOR this month-long occasion, the PDA, alongside its partners and stakeholders, will host a series of initiatives and educational awareness about oral health.

“That’s fostering growth and collaboration with dental health professionals’ community and stakeholders,” Centeno noted. “We are always ready to choose the most valuable program that will contribute to a better oral health of our community.”

NDHM Bente’s calendar of events, dubbed “Isang Bisig sa Kasalusugang Pang-ngiti,” will feature a townhall meeting, focused on promoting oral health awareness across all ages in different identified regions in the country.

In the execution of the recent MOA signing for PDA’S partnership with Colgate, the first leg of Isang Milyong Sipilyo toothbrushing drill will be held at the Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Pasay City on February 5. This will be followed by similar activities in Iloilo on February 26 and Davao on March 24.

“We have a long way to go in instilling good oral health as among the top priorities of life. But this constant effort of our association through our chapters, affiliates, society, and integrated organizations, we will bring that much-needed focus on every Filipino,” he said.