Marikina, Muntinlupa cited for effective implementation of oral health program

From the Philippine Information Agency:

MANDALUYONG CITY, June 4 (PIA)–The cities of Muntinlupa and Marikina were awarded by the Department of Health-National Capital Region Office (DOH-NCRO) for their effective implementation of the Orally Fit Child program.

The DOH-NCRO on Tuesday bestowed the “Best Orally Fit Child (OFC) to Marikina and Muntinlupa for having the highest percentage of preschool children without dental caries and for having an effective oral health awareness program being implemented.

Undersecretary Teodoro J. Herbosa said the award is an acknowledgement of the effort and hard work of the local government unit in the implementation and support to the Department of Health’s Oral Health Program and effective promotion of oral health hygiene in their locality.

According to Herbosa, the OFC candidates of the 17 local government units (LGUs) were evaluated and validated by DOH-NCRO under two categories.

Category 1, which means that a child must have clean and healthy teeth and gums without dental caries during the examination and rehabilitated case while under Category 2, the child had a previous dental caries but already treated and other dental services were performed.

As a reward for the accomplishment and effort of the two LGUs, Muntinlupa City, the winner under Category I, will receive a cash incentive of P40,000.00 while Marikina City, adjudged as Category II winner will receive P60,000.00  to further support their oral health program.

“We would like to thank all the LGUs involve in the promotion of the DOH oral health program. Your dedication and commitment rendered the success and realization of this event. We look forward for a more successful collaboration as we employ a stronger implementation of preventive measures in improving the delivery of oral health care in the community”, Herbosa said during the awarding ceremony.

According to the 2011 National Monitoring and Evaluation Dental Survey (NMEDS), 87.4% of Filipinos suffer from dental caries while 48.3% have periodontal disease.

The OFC program is a program established by the Department of Health with the objective of reducing the prevalence rate of dental caries and promoting proper oral health hygiene among day care students below 6 years old. (DOH-NCRO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

– See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=231401790027#sthash.FoNYQBjs.dpuf