Dental Care week comes to an end

National Dental week, largely run by volunteers was created to draw attention to the importance of oral hygiene as an integral part of an overall healthy life style.

The organizing committee represented The Panama Dental Association, The Ministry of Health, Social Security and the University of Panama, and the Latina University and was supported by corporate sponsors like Gum and Colgate.

The action packed week kicked off with a “health” event on Sunday Aug 31 with dental teams and their families running, walking, roller-blading and cycling along the Amador Causeway.

A well attended health seminar at the Union Club the next day marked the official launch of the program of activities, and was followed by gratefully welcomed visits to the maternity wards at Hospital Santo Tomás, Complejo Hospitalario Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Hospital San Miguel Arcángel, Hospital Regional de Chepo y Hospital Nicolás Solano de Chorrera, where gift baskets were distributed to underprivileged mothers and their new born babies.

Tuesday stressed the importance of exercise and sports in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, when eight schools competed in a five-hour track and field competition. Four schools represented the Ministry of Health, and four Social Security. The event emphasized the importance of participation rather than winning, but striving for best performance was also important.

During the afternoon judging of an art competition took place. The theme was of course dental hygiene, with entries from patients at the Hospital for Sick Children.

It was at the hospital where one of the major events took place, over five hours including visits to the wards, and the staging of entertainment with clowns and prize giving in the auditorium.