week dental health awareness campaign is being held at Shatti Mall here as part a series of programs stressing the importance of dental health care being conducted by the Ministry of Health in the Eastern Province. A specially constructed clinic and dental health education center has been set up in the mall in which Ministry of Health dentists are providing the public with free-of-charge dental examinations with intra oral cameras. Cartoon movies and painting competitions for children are attracting families to the campaign clinic. As part of the campaign, six dentists are giving free dental advice, educating patients on the need to get proper treatment, and distributing dental health-related brochures and circulars, as well as gifts to members of the public. Dr. Walaa Mohammed Al-Alawi, Dr. Amany Al-Khamis, Dr.Naeema Mahdi Al-Wakeel, Dr. Noor Ali Al-Shaikh, Dr. Safaa A. Al-Zaher and Dr. Ali Al-Dahboos are manning the clinic as part of the dental awareness campaign. “Tooth decay cases in the Eastern Province are on the increase, especially among young children. This is due to the lack of brushing, flossing and the misunderstanding of brush technique,” Dr. Ali Al-Dahboos told Saudi Gazette. “Always use a soft bristle toothbrush and do not move the brush back and forth in a scrubbing motion as this can cause damage to gums and teeth,” he added. “Flossing is an essential part of the tooth cleaning process because it removes plague from between teeth and at the gum line where gum disease often begins,” he advised. Many people are taking advantage of the opportunity to have a free consultation with a dental specialist while they do their shopping in the mall. The clinic is open every day from 4PM to 9PM and the campaign ends on Feb. 27.
