BY EBENEKE CLETUS CHIGOZIE

World Oral Health Day is celebrated on the 20th of March every year. The Dental Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) was not left out in this year’s celebration.

The 2021-2023 campaign theme, which is aimed at empowering people with the knowledge, tools and confidence to secure good oral health is tagged, “Be Proud of Your Mouth”.

While receiving the members of the Dental Center during a courtesy visit to the Management, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, lauded them on the improvement of service delivery in the department and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

The CMD reiterated the benefits of maintaining proper oral hygiene. He said “the mouth is the gateway to the body and some systemic diseases can be detected from the mouth. The mouth therefore, has to be kept free from harmful organisms and I believe your department will use this opportunity to teach people how to care for their health through the mouth.”

During her introductory talk, the Head of Preventive Dentistry Unit, Dr. Modupeore Soronke, thanked the CMD and the top management of the hospital for paying special attention to the Department. She noted that the entire staff of her department is fully committed to helping patients live healthier lives through oral care.

Dr. Soronke said, the 2023 edition of the World Oral Health Day would be celebrated in the form of health talks at the various Units and Clinics of the hospital, an awareness walks and the distribution of oral care materials.

Consultant, Community Dentistry Department, Dr. Afolabi Oyapero noted that, “the hospital had been at the fore-front in the area of excellent delivery of oral healthcare which includes “the training of dental specialists.

The Director Clinical Services and Training, Prof. Adebowale Adekoya, stated that the Dental School in Ikeja is the only state-owned school in the country, with an accredited Dental Training Institute that ensures Dental Surgeons graduate every year. He encouraged the Dental Staff not to rest on their oars.

The Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Kehinde Gbajumo; Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Adebola Aina; Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs. Titilope Alaka, Dr. Solomon Adeoye, Senior Registrar, Preventive Dentistry; Miss. Busayo Ajulo, Chief Head of Dental Nurse Technician and Miss. Oluwaseun Olaleye, Head of Unit for Dental Therapist, amongst others were present during the courtesy visit.