DepEd marks national dental health month

The Department of Education will conduct its dental services and tooth brushing drills in Cebu's public schools next month to mark the 2nd National Dental Health month.

With the theme "Ngiping Alaga Mula sa Pagkabata, Sandata natin sa pagtanda," the month-long celebration will be focused on the dental hygiene and good oral health of students in all public schools nationwide.

In coordination with Colgate-Palmolive, dentists will be deployed in all of the region's public schools.

A mega-tooth brushing activity in all public schools will also be the main highlight of the activity to jumpstart the month long celebration.

This aims to scale up DepEd's efforts to promote among children and parents the importance of tooth brushing to prevent tooth decay.

Aside from the mega tooth brushing activity, there will be a tanggal cavities, balik Colgate smile carton/sachet creation contest wherein the schools will be asked to create an effigy/models made out of Colgate cartons, sachets, and toothbrush backerboards.

In the national level, around 300 winners will be chosen from the regional entries. Out of 300, 10 winners will be chosen and from that the grand prize winner will be picked.

For each of the 300 schools that will be chosen, an oral examination of 300 pupils will be given for free as prize, a tooth extraction for its 100 pupils and a tooth brushing drill will also be conducted to its 500 pupils with free 500 sachets of Colgate and 500 toothbrushes.

For the 10 finalists, a sports showcase, a clinic room showcase, and office equipment will be given to the school.

Three computer sets will be given to the school that will win the grand prize. A computer will also be given to the division and health nutrition and one for the regional health and nutrition unit. - Jasmin R. Uy