Daily Tooth-Brushing with Fluoride
Programme at schools introduces
Brunei Darussalam has the highest number of
recorded tooth decay cases in the region. The Ministry of Education and
the Ministry of Health are introducing a Daily Tooth-Brushing with
Fluoride Programme at schools. The programme is being held during a
three-day Oral Health Seminar for Teachers at the Dato Mohamad Yassin
Primary School in Kampung Mentiri Housing Area.
The school has been selected for the pilot
project of the programme which is to encourage primary school children
to take good care of their teeth. On the final day of the seminar,
officers from the Ministry of Health explained that the daily use of
tooth paste containing fluoride was introduced, because it is cheap and
effective for tooth decay prevention. “Pollypaste” toothpaste is to be
distributed to primary schools.
According to an officer from the Oral Health
Promotion Section, tooth decay and cavities are due to lack of awareness
amongst mothers on the effects of prolonged bottle-feeding, especially
sweetened milk. The officer pointed out that sugar in the milk itself
can cause dental decay.
