Dental teams plan a busy week

The week is an annual program dedicated to drawing attention to the need for Oral health as an integral part of overall good health in the community.

The Amador health event, and others during the week, including the sale of tee shirts donated by the GUM Company, and Denticlinic will raise money to provide meals for deprived children in a a community program in Pacora. The meals are prepared and served as part of the Comedor Infantil Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.

Oral Health Week comes only a short time after the conclusion of a massive $500,000 survey of the dental health of the nation. Dental teams traveled the country by bus, boat, canoe and on foot to survey thousands of people from all walks of life, including indigenous people in remote areas.

The survey was directed by the Gorgas Institute, where results are now being collated in advance of a report to be published later in the year.

During the week the National Commission for Dental Health will be carrying out a daily series of events to draw attention to health programs. It will include visits to children in hospitals and schools, and will provide entertainment and participation activities.

The week kicks of officially this morning with a seminar at the Union Clubfrom 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

During the afternoon gift baskets containing food and clothing will be distributed to low income mothers in maternity wards in fiver regional hospitals.

On Tuesday a track and field competition will be held with students from eight schools divided into two teams, representing Social Security and The Ministry of Health.

On the same day there will be a display and judging of entries in a painting contest, with the subject, of course, the importance of oral health.

The paintings will be displayed and prizes presented on Wednesday at the Social Security Pediatric hospital.

On Thursday the organizing team will visit the Sick Children’s hospital, where clowns and musicians will perform for the young patients and a king and queen will be selected from the young patients. A concert with traditional singers will follow at the Latino University.

On Friday there will be a talent competition in the Farallon Salon at Parque Omar.

The week winds up on Saturday with a health fair at the Centro Cristiano Bethania, in San Miguelito from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The dentists hope that this program of activities will help people to realize the importance of dental hygiene.

It is expected that a great number of people will participate in the events, especially children, who are one of the main targets of the week.

That is one of the reasons why the majority of the activities are directed to children. It is important for them to acquire good habits from the beginning to avoid problems as adults.

Dentists will also take the opportunity to get to know their older people, who due to bad experiences have decided not to have their teeth examined, because they are afraid of the pain they might suffer.

The message from Dental Week is healthy teeth are the best way to avoid future problems.