NWP PC allocates Rs. 2.5m for dental care

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor.

A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Health has revealed that 65 percent of students are found to be suffering from tooth decay and other dental disorders. However, 95 percent of total population in Sri Lanka is reported suffering from tooth gum related disorders or ailments. Many adults are addicted to smoking, consuming harmful narcotics and betel-chewing.

Most of them don't clean their teeth and mouths regularly. In addition, they consume sweets a lot.

These are the causes for their teeth decay and they must be educated on the vital need of protecting their teeth using proper dental care offered by government dental health authorities said DMO in Kurunegala Dr. A.M.J. Herath at a conference recently.

He said that 1475 dental clinics would be held at rural schools of the Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts during this year and 750 well-planned awareness programs would be held for the guardians of school children during next six months.

A sum of 2.5 million rupees has been allocated by the NWP-PC Health Ministry for this purpose, Dr. Herath added.