Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - To paint a better picture of the current status of the nation's oral health, another National Oral Health Survey has been planned for 2008 and 2009.

The planned national survey was revealed by Dr Hj Shamshir bin Hj Zainal, Director of Dental Services, in his welcoming remark at the 2nd Federation of Dentistry International /MOH international Dental convention yesterday.

Dr Hj Shamshir said, "During the opening ceremony of the first convention, the Minister of Health in his speech had made it very clear the way to improve and maintain the oral health and simultaneously ensuring all Bruneians have increased accessibility to effective and quality oral health care.

"Since then I am pleased to state that the Department of Dental Services has taken up the

challenges of changing the way we address the oral health problems among the population of Brunei Darussalam.

"This is the result of the culmination of our Oral Health Agenda 2008-2012, which was officially launched by our Minister of Health on August 8, 2008."

The Director of Dental Services also pointed out that the inauguration of the agenda is perfectly timed because shortly after that the first ever World Oral Health Day was launched by FDI World Dental Federation on September l2, 2008. Because September 12 this year fell within the holy month of Ramadhan, the Department of Dental Services had decided to launch the Oral Health Day in Brunei Darussalam together with the FDI/MOH Brunei International Dental Convention yesterday.

This month of November is also declared the Oral Health month and the department has organized and collaborated a number of oral health promotion activities throughout the month.

He highlighted, "The Oral Health Agenda has addressed some of the constraints and challenges by presenting innovative strategies to reduce the burden of oral diseases and promote oral health amongst the population. To assess the effectiveness of these strategies is part of the reason why another National Oral Health survey has been planned for year 2008 and 2009 to include both children and adults and hopefully the elderly.

"This survey must materialize as planned because only with the proper data we can determine whether our various initiatives are effective and if we need to change or alter any of our strategies."

He added, "With all of us working as a team, I have no doubt that the oral health in Brunei Darussalam would be transformed for the better. We would reach our ultimate goal of attaining an oral health status that is amongst the best in the region."

After the opening ceremony, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Minister of Health then proceeded to launch the Dental Trade Exhibition, which was located at the Sustera Hall of the Rizqun International Hotel.

Among the activities held in conjunction with the Oral Health Month are the launching of the Daily Fluoride Tooth Brushing program in religious schools, Oral Health promotion activity in conjunction with the opening of Health Promotion Centre, and the first Dental Nursing Symposium organized by the Department of Dental Services and others. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin