.. As UNINIGER Teaching Hospital offer free Dental Services to Mark WOHD
By Uzo Ugwunze
A Dentist has revealed that about 70 percent of Nigerians lose their teeth annually to tooth decay saying that most cases that lead to tooth extraction emanate from preventable causes.
Speaking yesterday at University on the Niger Teaching Hospital UNINIGER, Iyienu, Ogidi in Idemili North LGA, Anambra State as the Dental department joined others to mark 2025 World Oral Health Day (WOHD), Dr. Jerry Ugwu revealed that 70 percent of Nigerians especially among the female gender always discover the unavoidable need to remove one tooth or two teeth annually urging those without signs of toothache to visit a dentist at least twice in a year.
According to Dr. Ugwu who gave free health talks to patients at the hospital Out- Patients Department OPD , the theme for WOHD 2025 is “A healthy mouth is a healthy body and a healthy mouth is a healthy mind”.
“Our mouth is the gateway into our body and the essence of WOHD is to create awareness to ensure that everyone takes proper care of his or her oral cavity which includes tongue, teeth,palate. Earlier prevention is better than further destruction.
“Oral cavity Preventive measures to improve your oral health include: Brush at least twice daily, Brush vertical (Up to down brush movement) with a suitable and neat toothbrush, Use toothpaste that contains fluoride, floss when necessary with water and or with mouth wash tablets, Visit a dentist for Scaling and Polishing every six months.
“Scaling is the removal of dirts which toothbrush cannot remove with ultrasonic machines. Visiting a dentist gives you opportunity for professional advice, Stop self medication like putting lime and leaves without professional advice,” said Dr. Ugwu.
Also, the Director of Administration, UNINIGER, Rev. Stanley Nonso Anene said that although WOHD is celebrated every 20th of March but the Teaching Hospital engaged in several activities to commemorate.and promote oral healthcare since the 18th of March, 2025.
“To commemorate WOHD, since Monday the hospital has been hosting several activities including free medical dental outreach, we provided free health education to the community and out patients. Also, the Teaching Hospital management slashed every dental service by 50 percent. Services like Extraction, Scaling and Polishing, Teeth whitening, filling of holes in the teeth, etc. Consultation.was provided free of charge to make sure that more people takes care of their oral health,” said Rev. Anene.
Moreso, the HOD, Department of Dental Health Sciences, Lasberry College of Health Technology, Ogidi, Ukachukwu Ifechukwu said that that a full medical team was on ground to attend to patients. ” The Dental surgeons, Dental therapists, Dental technicians, Anaesthesiologists and students have been here since 18th and will continue till Friday this week to attend to patients”.
“I must thank the proprietor of both institutions, Bishop on the Niger, Rt Rev Dr. Owen Nwokolo, The Hospital Supervisor, Mama Niger, Dr. Mrs Elsie Nwokolo, the Director of Administration, Rev. Nonso Anene, the CMD, Prof. Uche Onwudiegwu , The Management Board for approving the reduction of cost of services by more than 50 percent. No matter your ailment so long as you came within this Oral Health week you are paying less than 50 percent for the oral health services,” said Ukachukwu.
However, a patient who benefited from the free consultation fee and services reduction of costs Rev Hillary Muofunanya also thanked the Iyienu hospital management for Scaling down the cost of accessing dental services during the program.