Schoolchildren to receive oral health education

Schoolchildren to receive oral health education

By Yamon Phu Thit   |   Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Dental experts are planning to teach more than 4 million of the country's schoolchildren about the importance of looking after their teeth.

Starting on July 1, an international program called "Live, Learn, Laugh" will see dental specialists volunteer their time over the next three years to travel to schools across the country and provide oral health care and education.

The program is a collaboration between the FDI World Dental Federation, the Myanmar Dental Association (MDA) and Unilever Oral Care.

Dental association president U Pwint Phoo said in addition to checking students' teeth, the dentists will share information on good dental habits, including the use of fluoride toothpaste.

"We will teach children that the right form of brushing, carried out twice a day, is important to protect against decaying teeth and other dental problems," U Pwint Phoo said at a press conference on June 20.

He added that working with schoolchildren is the best way to ensure better health habits.

"It is effective to start with the younger generation to help them develop good behaviour which will last for the rest of their lives," he said. "They can then share their knowledge with other members of their family."

U Zaw Myo Hlaing, Unilever's country director, said parents and teachers will also be involved in spreading the message.

"When we teach the children, the most challenging task is to keep them interested in the program," he said. "Our program aims to combine education with fun."

Since it was first launched in 2004, Live, Laugh, Learn has operated in 37 countries, reducing the number of school days lost to dental problems.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/06/26/schoolchildren-to-receive-oral-health-education/