By Takunda Mandura
Zimbabweans from all walks of life joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Oral Health Day ( WOHD ) which is celebrated by rest of the world on the 20th of March every year since 1994. The guest of honor at the event which was held at Harare Gardens , Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Aldrin Masiiwa urged all sectors of Zimbabwe to reduce morbidity and mortality of oral diseases
He urged Zimbabweans to appreciate the importance of looking after their teeth.
“It has been established through various researches that over 90% of the world population will suffer some form of oral or dental diseases at least once in their lifetime .20% of the population is presently suffering from oral diseases of which 2% is oral cancer which although low , is on the rise although non communicable diseases (NCDs)” he added
The theme of this year WOHD is ‘It all start here; Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body’ which reminds people everywhere about the importance of looking after their teeth and gums.
President of the Zimbabwe Dental Association (ZIDA) Doctor Lovemore Mahachi urged Zimbabweans to note the importance oral health
He said “Oral healthy is an essential component of good health and good health is a fundamental human right, so if do not have oral health you, may not have human rights, we need to eat healthy and look after our oral.”
Dr Mandy Sibanda-Dlamini Chairperson of the WOHD planning committee encouraged Zimbabweans to visit clinics for free oral health check .
She further urged Zimbabweans to avoid sugar in between meals, sugary drinks and also visit dentist twice a year, brush their teeth twice a day for them to have better Oral Health
Kudzai Nyoka, the 2015 Starbrite winner who i was also part of the entertainment cast at WOHD commemorations recited her poem “morally begins orally, we live orally,”
