Materia Medica Malaysiana

National oral health plan takes shape

The dental fraternity has formulated a national oral health plan for 2010 in tandem with the World Health Organisation’s oral health goals for 2020.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the plan documented oral health goals in four areas: dental caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer and dental injuries.
The plan, he said, sought to reduce the prevalence of dental caries and tooth loss, aesthetically-unacceptable enamel defects, gum disease, deaths due to oral cancer and dental injuries.
He said it also outlined Malaysia’s strategies towards ensuring good oral health for Malaysians.
“It is a plan specific to us, much in line with the WHO aspirations, that countries identify levels of disease or health within their own capacity and capabilities.”
This year, Dr Chua said, Malaysia was at the half-way mark towards 2010, and it was reviewing goals and strategies.
He said that while maintaining primary healthcare as the thrust of oral healthcare, the Ministry would consider a proposal to develop a centre of excellence for oral health.
He said this centre could serve as a referral centre where all oral health specialties would offer services under one roof.
This, he said, would be particularly beneficial for patients who require multi-disciplinary management, such as patients with orofacial deformities who need corrective surgery, implants, orthodontic treatment and other restorative work.
He said the centre could be equipped with a central laboratory for the fabrication of dental appliances and prostheses. — NST