An ambitious campaign to increase early detection and halve the number of children under six-years suffering dental cavities by 2010 was launched by the government Thursday.
The announcement was made in line with the 29th Asia Pacific Dental Congress, a five-day event being held in Jakarta until April 29.
Indonesian health ministry staff member Edy Nadial Roesdal said dental problems can cause other serious illnesses including heart disease and diabetes.
Speaking at the press conference, Edy said the most recent data available showed 14 percent of all children in Indonesia were free of cavities in 1995.
In 2006 there were 28 million children under the age of six in Indonesia.
"We are promoting preventative care in this age group through hospitals, in community health centers and in schools," he said.
Edy also acknowledged the inequality in distribution of dental medical workers.
"There is one dentist for every three community health centers nationwide -- but there are 600 dental specialists working in cities and populated urban areas.
"There should be at least one dentist in each of our health centers." But Edy said there was no specific allocation for oral health at the health ministry, which this year received a total budget of more than Rp 17 trillion (US$1.9 billion).
In Jakarta this week there are 1,500 participants attending the international conference, including dentists from 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
The congress is being held by the International Dentist Federation, a French-based organisation for dentist associations from more than 60 countries.
Federation president Michele Aerden said 95 percent of oral diseases were avoidable through early detection.
But oral diseases are often neglected, she said.
"How can you promote successful economic development if your people are ill or dying due to poor oral health," Michele said.
"Health is so important. And there is no general health without oral health." (07)
No comments:
Post a Comment