In line with the National Action Plan for Oral Health 2022 – 2027, launched on 01 June 2022, and as part of the ongoing sensitisation campaign for primary school pupils on the importance of oral health, Oral Health Kits were distributed on 28 September 2022 to students of Philippe Rivalland RCA School in Beau Bassin.
The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, the Parliamentary Private Secretary, Dr Ismael Rawoo, the Director of Dental Services, Mr Ian Ramdin and other personalities were present at the event organised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology.
In his address, Minister Jagutpal called upon the students to be more aware of the need to take care of their teeth and to regularly consult a dentist in order to ensure oral health and hygiene. The campaign, he said, contributes significantly in raising awareness among children and their relatives on the importance of maintaining a good buccal hygiene.
He appealed to the children to stay away from bad habits such as smoking and consuming alcohol and to adopt healthy eating routines. The children, he added, should regularly practice physical activities and encourage their surroundings to reduce risks of developing a non-communicable disease.
The Health Minister urged students to make use of their oral health kits while encouraging them to develop a good oral hygiene at a young age.
Dr Rawoo, for his part, dwelt on the significance of adopting a good oral hygiene routine and ways to protect and improve their oral health. He pointed out that the sensitisation campaign is effective and children are becoming better aware of the need to take care of their oral hygiene.
There were also presentations on tooth brushing techniques as well as on the nutritional guidelines on diet for optimum oral health.
The Oral Health Kit comprises a pamphlet, bookmark, toothpaste and toothbrush. The campaign targets around 76 000 primary pupils of Mauritius and Rodrigues who would receive their oral health kits over the next six months since the onset of the campaign. As at date, some 18 000 students have already received their oral health kits.
