By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Some children in public primary schools in Oyo State have received free dental healthcare intervention courtesy of Rotary Club in conjunction with the state government.
The healthcare intervention was given through the Oyo State Dental Health Mission and about 15 public primary schools across local governments in Ibadan and Oyo town benefited from it.
The Commissioner for Health in Oyo State, Dr Taiwo Ladipo, explained that the project was an awareness campaign aimed to improve dental health care of the children, urging individuals to embrace dental hygiene to prevent the emergence of oral health related diseases.
The Commissioner, who identified negligence as one of the factors responsible for dental diseases, submitted that issues of dental health deserve more attention in the society.
“Dental health, oral health is social health. Majority of us do not visit specialists for treatment, this is negligence on our parts.
“Everyone is expected to do what is necessary by going for checks occasionally, as failure to embrace dental hygiene could lead to infections, cancer and odour,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, enjoined relevant stakeholders to work together as a team in creating awareness about oral hygiene.
Represented at the campaign by the Executive Secretary of the board, Mr Adeniyi Olusoji Joel, the chairman urged stakeholders to intensify awareness on the importance of oral hygiene, especially in primary schools, adding that this will reduce the incidence of oral health diseases.
On his part, the president of Oyo Rotary Club, Rotarian Samuel Kolawole and Dr Soji Ijidale of Fortune Health Plus, said the collaboration was to help improve oral hygiene in the state.
The duo also promised the state government and other stakeholders’ continuous support to further increase awareness on dental health in various communities.
The event also featured distribution of toothpaste and toothbrush to pupils, dental examination, oral hygiene instructions amongst others.
Other establishments who joined in the campaign included, Fortune Health Plus, Procter and Gamble and Nigerian Dental Association.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale