AUN joined the global community to commemorate this year's World Oral Health Day (WOHD) by unveiling a new Oral Hygiene Project targeting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Fufore and Yola South host communities. The initiative aims to create awareness of good oral hygiene among school children in the IDP homes through oral health education given to teachers and Community Health Workers (CHWs).
Members of the AUN community, including senior management and faculty members, health workers, and a delegation of IDPs, met at the AUN Health Center on Thursday, March 24, for a lecture on oral hygiene and the prevention of dental and mouth diseases. There was also a free consultation with a dentist. AUN's public health expert and Professor in the Natural and Environmental Sciences program, Dr. Jennifer Tyndall, moderated the event.
The head of the Dental Department in the Federal Medical Center, Yola, Dr. Ladan, who was the keynote speaker, told everyone that the oral cavity is a window and indicator of the general health of an individual, while about three and a half million people worldwide suffer inadequate oral hygiene.
"Oral bacteria play a role in health problems such as inflammation of the inner linings of the heart and valves, pregnancy complications, cardiovascular diseases, and pneumonia because chronic inflammation of the gums is likely to lead to inflammation throughout the whole body," he said.
The key to preventing these is a set of healthy gums achieved by brushing twice daily after meals, using dental floss, applying proper brushing techniques, avoiding high refined carbohydrates and sugar, and constant fiber intake.
In the audience were representatives of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency; the Adamawa State Ministry of Health; the Federal Medical Center, Yola; the World Health Organization; Unilever, and Community Oral Health Initiative (COHI), an Abuja-based non-governmental organization.
The Director of the AUN Medical Center, Dr. Paul Dogara, commended the speakers and guests at the event.
"I want to thank you for thinking about this commendable initiative; and for your constant effort towards impacting the community."
Reported by Tina Bitrus