BESAO, Mountain Province – Residents in this municipality were given brand new smile with a free dental check-up and other dental services, as the province joins the nation in observance of the Oral / Dental Health Month this February.
The Department of Health (DOH) – Provincial Office in partnership with Besao Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) through its Besao Rural Health Unit (RHU) launched the month-long observance on February 1, 2017.
Dr. Natividad T. Oprecio, Development Management Officer IV of the DOH- Provincial Office said that after the launching, residents from the different barangays of Besao availed of the free tooth extraction.
Other activities include oral prophylaxis or cleaning of teeth among pupils of Besao Central School and Besao Elementary School; Dental Health Education to students of Besao National High School, St. James High School and the public; and Quiz Bee participated in by the students and the community.
Dr. Oprecio added that Besao MLGU through its Besao RHU provided the dental logistics such as the materials needed, meals and snacks of the team and fuel for the Dental bus that was provided and turned over by the DOH to the provincial government.
Dentists who conducted dental check-up and other dental services in Besao are Dr. Mary D. Toyokan of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC), Dr. Vavilyn Alicda of Tadian RHU, Dr. Yvonne Gatawa of Bontoc General Hospital, Dr. Lyn Dup-et of Bauko RHU, Dr. Fausta Nacatab of Besao District Hospital, Dr. Natividad T. Oprecio and Dr. Virginia Fagsao, both from the DOH-Provincial Office.
Dr. Oprecio announced that the DOH – Provincial Office together with other volunteer dentists will be going around the municipalities in the province as it partnered with respective MLGUs for the Dental Health Caravan. She added that oral examination, tooth extraction and other dental services will be provided to the constituents.
The team will be in Tadian on February 7, 2017; February 9 in Lower Bauko; February 16 in Besao; February 17 in Sabangan; February 21 in Upper Bauko; and February 22 in Sadanga.
Aside from this, Dr. Oprecio relayed that their office in partnership with the Provincial Health Office are conducting Information Education Campaign (IEC) through radio guesting in the local radio stations in the province. The same IEC will be conducted among employees of the provincial government and national government agencies during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony.
This annual observance started in 1951 as National Dental Health Week but in February 24, 2004, it was expanded into a month-long celebration, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 559 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The observance aims to strengthen public awareness on the importance of the good oral health.
The theme for this year’s observance is Ngiping Inaalagaan at Pinagyaman, Hatid ay Ngiting di Kukupas Kailanman.”
By Alpine L. Killa