NASSAU, The Bahamas --- Proper oral health is ?an important component? of overall wellbeing and ?must be practiced? at an early age, Minister of Health, Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis affirmed.

Poor oral hygiene can negatively impact the overall quality of a person?s life as painful gums, missing teeth and oral infections affect and influence physical, mental and social well-being, he said.

Dr Minnis was speaking at the recent Bahamas Dental Association's Annual Scientific Conference.

He said dental health officials continue to implement new strategies and policies in the promotion of proper oral hygiene as a means of combating dental decay and diseases which remain ?the most common childhood oral health conditions? affecting Bahamian children.

?Proper oral hygiene which includes mouth-care and the practice of keeping the oral cavity clean is one of the best means of preventing dental caries and related disorders,? Dr Minnis added. To facilitate awareness of, and help combat the problem, the Ministry of Health, through the Department of Public Health?s Oral Health Unit, has undertaken a number of initiatives designed to ?bring focused attention? in the promotion of better oral hygiene for Bahamians, he said.

Proper nutrition, when combined with proper oral hygiene, also ?plays a vital role? in combating oral diseases and preserving teeth, he said. And these practices should begin at home and at an early age and continued into adulthood. ?This would ensure the facilitation of good health, while improving the quality of life,? Dr Minnis said. Dental health officials have designed an interactive education and awareness campaign that is expected to result in improved oral care.

The campaign has targeted younger members of the population, particularly primary school children. Activities have included school visits, dental screenings at Community Clinics, dissemination of educational materials, and distribution of toothbrush kits. ?These activities reinforced our belief in the importance of people developing good dental habits from the earliest age,? Dr Minnis said. Dental diseases are ?largely preventable?, and the treatment is expensive, he added.