Saudi Arabia and India agree to study feasibility of establishing power grid    Saudi Awwal Bank records SR5.9 billion net profit after Zakat and Income Tax for YTD Q3    Economy minister emphasizes global partnerships to address pressing challenges Private investments in non-oil sector soar 70%    Saudi Arabia's GDP grows 2.8% in Q3, driven by non-oil sectors    PIF, HKMA sign MoU to establish $1 billion investment fund    Israeli soldiers forced Palestinian men to take off clothes as they evacuated war-torn Jabalya    North Korea fires suspected intercontinental missile    India celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights    'It was like a tsunami': Spaniards recount horror of deadly floods    Bahrain Crown Prince receives Saudi Interior Minister    In-person classes will remain suspended in Jeddah, Rabigh and Khulais schools on Thursday    HR Ministry takes penal action against 568 violators of Domestic Workers' Regulation    Derby Week makes its debut in the Roshn Saudi League    Al Nassr eliminated from King's Cup after a defeat to Al Taawoun    Teri Garr, Young Frankenstein and Tootsie star, dies at 79    Othman Al Omeir receives Legacy of Change Medal at the UK Parliament for advocacy in media    Neymar joins Saudi fashion trend, donning traditional attire at Al Hilal match    Indonesia Days event celebrates cultural diversity at Al Suwaidi Park    Saudi Football Federation reappoints Hervé Renard to lead national team    Tarzan star Ron Ely dies aged 86    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Dental practitioners urge stronger oral care research
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 28 - 02 - 2012

A majority of individuals in the Middle East do not practice recommended oral hygiene measures, according to dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, prevention of oral diseases is not a high priority in the region, especially among adults, who only visit dental clinics when they experience toothaches.
The observations were made during a workshop hosted by Johnson & Johnson Middle East recently in Dubai as part of efforts to examine the current status of oral hygiene in Saudi Arabia and the challenges dentists face in their day-to-day practice.
As one of the key outcomes of the deliberations, panelists highlighted the urgent need for research, continued education and public awareness initiatives on oral health and hygiene in the country.
The experts additionally underlined the need for decision-makers in all health sectors in the Kingdom to increase the number of dental hygienists and use consistent guidelines instructions to improve the public awareness.
The workshop drew the participation of Dr. Hesham Al-Mashat, Consultant of Periodontology and Implantology in the Kingdom; Dr. Meshari Al Damkh, Assistant Professor at King Saud University (KSU), Security Forces Riyadh; Dr. Anil Sukumaran, Professor at KSU; and Dr. Montaser Al Qutub, Associate Professor at KSU.
“We have a number of hygienists in Saudi Arabia who help patients understand the importance of maintaining an oral hygiene regime. Despite this, up to 30 percent of our patients do not know the difference between cleaning the teeth and cleaning the gums. We believe it is a major role of hygienists, dentists, periodontists, nurses and all healthcare providers to raise the awareness on the importance of oral hygiene and oral health,” Dr. Mashat said.
According to one of the largest independent epidemiology trials in the Middle East conducted by Phystone Research in 2007, which evaluated periodontal disease in Saudi Arabia, 45 percent of the population between the ages of 18-59 suffer from bleeding gums.
Against this scenario, experts at the workshop highlighted a clear need for improving epidemiological and clinical studies in oral hygiene to examine the magnitude of the problem and identify solutions. The dentists also concurred that despite the glaring need for periodontists, the speciality ranked among the least practiced in Saudi Arabia.
“Today, there is a lack of awareness in the society on the importance of oral health; people believe it is not life-threatening even when many systemic diseases such as heart conditions have been linked to poor oral hygiene. Most patients visit their dentist only when they suffer from unbearable pain. Some patients even believe that chewing gum can replace brushing! The truth is that there is no alternative to brushing, flossing and using an antibacterial mouthwash as these are essential for maintaining oral health,” Dr. Sukumaran said.
The Saudi Arabia Dentist's Workshop came on the heels of the launch of Listerine Zero, an alcohol-free formulation of Johnson & Johnson's mouthwash range. The new mouthwash complements the use of toothbrush and flossing in killing plaque-causing bacteria.
The company also guaranteed its collaboration with a group of Saudi dentists to understand oral hygiene issues in Saudi Arabia. It also stressed the importance of improving oral hygiene in the country by reaching out to the entire community with extensive and continued education programs.


Clic here to read the story from its source.