KOTA KINABALU: As many as 94.1 per cent of the adult population in Sabah suffer from cavities or caries, said state health director Dr Asits Sanna.
He said the findings from the National Oral Health Survey revealed that 82 per cent of six-year-olds and 63.3 per cent of 12-year-old students also have caries problems.
He said the findings also show that dental health issues are more prevalent in rural areas due to high sugar intake and a lack of emphasis on preventive dental care.
“The Sabah Health Department (JKNS) is committed to improving oral health across the state. We are promoting preventive practices as daily routines, such as brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste,” he said.
“In addition to gargling after meals, maintaining a healthy diet, performing regular self-examinations of the mouth and getting a dental check-up at least once a year is often recommended to prevent dental disease," he said in his closing speech at the Dental Health Promotion Week held here today.
Dr Asits added that to enhance access to health facilities, JKNS has expanded its services through a network of dental clinics and specialist facilities, including school dental clinics, mobile dental clinics, and mobile dental teams.
He said that this year, under the 12th Malaysia Plan’s Fourth Rolling Plan, JKNS has received approval for the acquisition of three new mobile dental clinics to serve the districts of Penampang, Keningau, and Kudat.
Additionally, approval has been granted for the establishment of four mobile dental teams to support the Kepayan Dental Clinic, Luyang Dental Clinic, Telupid Dental Clinic, and Tawau Dental Clinic.
Dr Asits noted that efforts to combat dental caries include expanding preventive measures such as fluoridation of public water supplies and fluoride mouth rinse programme.
“To date, 31 primary schools with 2,970 students are consistently participating in the fluoride mouth rinse programme each week across the state,” he said.
Through these initiatives, Dr Asits hopes to improve the availability of dental health services and enhance the overall standard of oral health in Sabah.
