40% of total dental/oral health expenditures are due to tooth decays and gum disease

The Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has revealed that 40% of total dental/oral health expenditures are due to periodontal diseases and tooth decays, and these are completely avoidable if people take the simple preventative measures towards their own oral health.

HAAD’s 2015 oral health statistics revealed that 28.7% of nationals and 19.3% of residents in the Emirate suffer from periodontal (gum) diseases, while 41.2% of nationals and 35.9% of residents suffer from tooth decay.

HAAD is urging that all nationals and residents to maintain their oral health and recommend them to brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes, floss once a day and visit the dentist once a year at least, in parallel to eating healthy, and refraining from smoking.

HAAD’s oral health initiative, launched under the theme "healthy mouth healthy body" is being held in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and TAJMEEL Dental Centre of Burjeel Hospital. The initiative’s activities were kicked off on World Oral Health Day, for a period of 3 months during which HAAD plans to ramp up efforts to improve oral health in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Director of Public Health and Research Division at HAAD, said: "Improving the community’s oral health for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is one of our public health priorities at HAAD. We hope that through this particular initiative we can educate people about the preventative measures they can take to fight oral diseases, and instil a sense of interest and concern in both children and adults towards their individual oral health."

Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, also added: "Health Authority – Abu Dhabi stresses that all people should avoid all forms of tobacco, eat healthy food, and avoid drinks or meals with high amounts of sugar which might cause damage to the teeth."

Teaching child appropriate oral health care at an early age contributes to the prevention of oral diseases later on life, based on HAAD statistics, tooth decay rate is higher in children with 47.9% compared to 35.4% in adults, while periodontal (gum) diseases are higher in adults with 26.9% compared to 24% in children.

HAAD is ramping up its efforts during the upcoming three months to raise awareness on the importance of oral health by arranging different activities and free check-ups for the public in shopping malls, entities and schools.

Source :WAM