Oral health is crucial to overall well-being, yet for many, it remains a neglected area of ??healthcare.
In South Africa, an estimated 90% of the population suffers from some form of gum disease, making it the second most common health problem after the common cold.
To promote oral health, the Department of Health encourages everyone, especially those in vulnerable groups, to access dental care and acquire the crucial knowledge to maintain good oral hygiene.
Dr. Chanel Biljohn, a dentist from the Outeniqua and Kanana regions, emphasized the importance of oral health in overall well-being.
“Prevention is key,” she said. “During Oral Health Month, book an appointment for your whole family, and don’t forget to schedule a cleaning!”
These services are part of a broader initiative to provide dental education to parents, children, and anyone who needs it. Parents are urged to schedule their child’s first dental appointment as soon as their first tooth emerges.
Services Provided:
Preventive Care: Dental consultations, dental cleanings (scaling and polishing), fissure sealants, and fluoride treatments.
Urgent Care: Tooth extractions, abscess treatment, and jaw fracture fixation.
Restorative Care: Including root canal treatment of anterior teeth.
Dental Hygienist Johanda Basson is actively involved in promoting oral health education and preventive care in the local community. She visits kindergartens and primary schools to provide educational sessions and fluoride treatments. Parents are encouraged to sign informed consent forms for the dental team to provide important oral health services to their children at school.
The outreach team also serves several clinics in the Outeniqua and Kanana regions, providing emergency dental care at clinics in Dieselstorp, Drost, Bridgeton, Calitzdorp, Zoar, and Van Vickersdorp, as well as at schools and daycare centers. Pregnant women are advised to consult with dental services before receiving treatment to address any potential oral health concerns.
You can make an appointment by calling 044 272 2245 or in person at the Outeniqua Dental Clinic. The clinic schedules appointments for the following month on the last working day of each month. The next appointment for October is September 30th.