Persons with Non-Communicable Diseases Urged to Protect Their Oral Health

A call has been made for Jamaicans, particularly those sufferings from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), to take care of their oral health.

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said that poor oral health presents an added danger for persons, who suffer from conditions such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, cancers, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes.

NCDs are responsible for over 70 per cent of reported deaths in Jamaica.

“Oral health and related diseases such as periodontitis (gum disease) is a major contributor to making people with those diseases worse,” the Minister said.

He was delivering the keynote address at the launch of Oral Health Month on  Thursday (October 1), at the Randolph Lopez School of Hope on Golding Avenue, St. Andrew.

The Ministry of Health is collaborating with the College of Oral Health Sciences at the University of Technology (UTech), and other support groups, to stage a month of activities that are targeted at children with disabilities.

Dr. Ferguson said the focus on children with special needs is important as “oftentimes they are victims of not receiving vital and important services.”

During the Month, several outreach events will be held to promote good oral health. Free oral screening will be offered to children with disabilities, as well as other persons.

Among the institutions that will receive special attention are: Maxfield Park Children Home in St. Andrew, and the Hanbury Home in Manchester.

The other groups that are giving their support to the initiative are: the Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disability, Jamaica Autism Support Awareness, and the Jamaica Association of Public Dental Surgeons.