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Experts call on govt to invest in oral health, as NDA, Pepsodent walk against tooth cavity

By Tayo Oredola
24 March 2016   |   1:12 am
Consultant Dentist at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Daniel Gbujie, has called on government to invest in oral health to encourage Nigerians patronize that aspect of healthcare.
Cross section of Participants at the recently held Oral Health Awareness Walk organized by Pepsodent, Unilever Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) in Lagos PHOTO: TAYO OREDOLA

Cross section of Participants at the recently held Oral Health Awareness Walk organized by Pepsodent, Unilever Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) in Lagos<br />PHOTO: TAYO OREDOLA

Consultant Dentist at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Daniel Gbujie, has called on government to invest in oral health to encourage Nigerians patronize that aspect of healthcare.

Speaking at a health walk in Lagos, Gbujie said it is expensive setting up dental practice in Nigeria, “so, it is important that government understand the idea of financing dental outlets to reduce out of pocket payment by patients.” Lamenting on the challenge of oral health in the country, Gbujie pointed out that, the predicament of economic hardship in the country have created a perception that oral check ups in the absence of any problem is seen as a luxury.

He further explained the need to develop the cognitive thinking of many Nigerians, because “the attitude is mainly the mindset they have before now. The attitude can get better if our economic indices improves.”

The 10 kilometres Oral health awareness walk, which started from LUTH Dentistry College in Idi-Araba, through Ojuelegba and to Jibowu, was a shared partnership between the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), and Pepsodent, to sensitize Nigerians on the need to brush twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste in line with this year’s World Oral Health Day (WOHD).

The walk had in attendance members of the dental community, dental students, dental practitioners and therapists alongside some employees of Unilever Nigeria Plc, distributing educational materials, Pepsodent toothpaste and toothbrushes to residents of the Surulere and Mushin Local Government Areas.

NDA President, Dr. Olabode Ijarogbe, noted that the theme for this year’s WOHD, “Brush Day and Night: Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body,” availed an opportunity for Nigerians to see their oral health as closely integrated with their general health system, as the mouth is the gate way to the body.

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