Heatlh Ministry to launch 1Malaysia mobile dental clinics Read more: Heatlh Ministry to launch 1Malaysia mobile dental clinics - Latest - New Straits

NST: SUBANG JAYA: The Health Ministry will launch the 1Malaysia mobile dental clinic soon to serve the public in rural areas.
It director general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said the project will kick start in Pahang soon.
“Such an effort by the ministry is important as many still did not give attention to proper dental care,” he said after launching the 19th International Scientific Convention and Trade Exhibition yesterday.
He said improper attention of oral healthcare would cause cavity which may lead to bacteria infection to the brain through the blood stream.
The mobile clinics, Dr Hasan said would visit remote villages regularly, operating with a dentist and fully equipped facilities to treat dental patients for free.
He added that the attitude of the public has to change.
“Most only seek treatment when illness get severe, the same goes for dental care which should not be the case,” he said.
Dr Hasan said the 1Malaysia mobile dental clinic would access remote villages without public transports or a dental clinic close by.
“If they can’t access our clinics then we will go to them,” he said.
He added that certain areas in Pahang such as the Felda and orang asli settlement had roads but did not have public transportation.
“If the responds is good, we would cover more remote areas in other states,” he added.
The mobile dental clinic, he said would be station at the villages for about two weeks and provide patients with follow up treatment advice when needed.
Dr Hasan said the clinic was an extension of the ministry’s services after a success of the five 1Malaysia mobile clinics.
The five mobile clinics were currently operating in Perak, Hulu Selangor, Pahang, and Segamat while there were two boats in operating Sarawak.
Dr Hasan also expressed his support towards the Malaysian Dental Association’s suggestion to amend the Dentist Act 1971, to lift the dental clinic partnership limitation.
On the 1Malaysia clinics, Dr Hasan said there were currently 96 and the ministry would open another three this month.
“This year, we plan to set up an addition of 50 1Malaysia clinics to provide easier access to the public in residential areas in the city,” he said.
The clinics, opened daily on weekdays have so far treated 3.2 million patients
Meanwhile, Dr Hasan advised the public not to purchase medicines unlicensed medicines or health supplements randomly online as the drugs could be fake or have side effects.
He was responding to the case of a Singaporean female who succumbed to her death due to complications after consuming slimming pills bought online.
“It is important for the public to be well informed as not all the information of the drugs bought online are true,” he said.
He added that the ministry was aware of the challenge of monitoring medicines online but will do the necessary and look at laws to safe guard the public.
“The ministry is looking at how we can impose a tighter control over medicines bought online,” he said.
He added that currently there were co-operation with Post Malaysia and customs, allowing only individuals or parties with permit to bring drugs in.