DT News - MEA - Abu Dhabi: Almost half of oral health costs due to periodontitis and caries

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 25 May 2016

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ABU DHABI, UAE: The Health Authority—Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulatory agency of the health care sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has reported that about 40 per cent of oral health expenditure in the country is related to periodontal disease and dental caries treatment. However, both conditions are preventable through simple oral hygiene measures.

HAAD’s 2015 oral health statistics showed that 19.3 per cent of Abu Dhabi residents suffer from periodontal disease and 35.9 per cent from dental caries. In addition, the figures indicate that the tooth decay rate is higher in children than in adults (47.9 per cent compared with 35.4 per cent). Furthermore, the prevalence of periodontal disease is greater in adults (26.9 per cent) than in children (24 per cent).

The authority has therefore urged residents to maintain their oral health and recommends brushing teeth twice a day for 2 minutes, daily flossing and visits to the dentist once a year at least.

Dr Omniyat al-Hajri, Director of the Public Health and Research Division at HAAD, 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.”

Coinciding with World Oral Health Day, which is celebrated globally on 20 March every year, HAAD launched an oral health initiative under the theme “Healthy mouth healthy body” in order to address oral health issues in the population. The programme is being run in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, Abu Dhabi Education Council and TAJMEEL Dental Center of Burjeel Hospital, and includes a three-month plan aimed at improving oral health in Abu Dhabi through various activities and free check-ups for the public at shopping malls and schools.

“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,” emphasised al-Hajri.

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