More dental care facilities planned<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to boost dental care
\nfacilities throughout Indonesia despite the lack of awareness of
\nbasic dental hygiene among the general public.<\/p>\n
In line with this year's World Health Day theme of promoting
\noral health, the government hopes that all community health
\ncenters will eventually be equipped with dental care facilities.<\/p>\n
World Health Day falls on April 7.<\/p>\n
Dentists would be retained on the government's payroll just
\nlike general practitioners to work at state hospitals or health
\ncenters, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health Hidayat
\nHardjoprawito said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Hidayat told a press conference that besides dental care
\nfacilities, the government will provide houses and motorcycles
\nfor dentists who practice at the community health centers.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged, however, that there is still a severe
\nshortage of dentists in Indonesia, with one dentist available for
\nevery 22,500 people. With most dentists bunched up in urban
\nareas, the shortage is even more pronounced in remote regions.<\/p>\n
In spite of the shortages, there are currently 1,100
\nunemployed dentists, and each year the country produces 55 new
\ndentists. \"Most dentists are women who are reluctant to work in
\nremote areas,\" Hidayat said.<\/p>\n
The government also plans to distribute toothpaste containing
\nfluoride freely in villages that have the highest incidence of
\noral health problems, he added.<\/p>\n
The Association of Indonesian Dentists (PDGI) is also joining
\nin the campaign by planning to launch free dental care services
\nin selected locations in Indonesia this month.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization (WHO) has chosen oral health for
\nthis year's theme for World Health Day because of indications
\nthat oral health problems have increased worldwide in recent
\nyears.<\/p>\n
\"There are preventive programs offered by WHO; proper oral
\nhygiene, eating habits, and the use of fluoride. WHO is working
\ntogether with the Indonesian government to improve oral health in
\nthis area,\" Robert Kim Farley, WHO's chief representative in
\nIndonesia, told the same press conference.<\/p>\n
WHO has been urging the governments of developing countries to
\nprovide tax incentives to toothpaste manufacturers which use
\nfluoride because it helps reduce the incidence of oral disease.
\n(01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-dental-care-facilities-planned-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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