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Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 2/2018 HYGIENE TRIBUNE C3 “The government of Dubai has set a very high priority for oral health” By Dental Tribune MEA / CAPPmea Dental Tribune MEA & CAPPmea had a pleasure to ask Dr Shiamaa Shihab Al Mashhadani from Dubai Health Authority (DHA) several questions about approaching World Oral Health Day 2018. World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is celebrated every year on 20 March. It is an inter- national day to celebrate the benefits of a healthy mouth and to promote worldwide awareness of the issues around oral health and the impor- tance of oral hygiene to looking after everyone old and young. Why are partnerships with com- panies like Philips important for Dubai Health Authority? The DHA and the strategic stakehold- ers have common goals of ethics, integrity and value to help improve oral health and oral health literacy in the population. The DHA ideally provides preven- tion and promotion messages and programs to the public, however it is essential for strategic stakeholders to play an important role in empha- sizing the prevention of disease and promotion of oral health in conjunc- tion with government entities. They can help to develop local solutions for local needs, thus helping to tackle local oral health problems. The unity of goals and resources help pave the Dr Shiamaa Shihab Al Mashhadani from Dubai Health Authority (DHA) way for a more integrated health promotion services. What are your hopes for the approaching World Oral Health Day on 20 March? We always plan each year to cel- ebrate world oral health day in a creative, innovative and entertain- ing way this year is no different, we have special international oral health advocates and many related activities. The celebration of WOHD is an important tool to raise aware- ness about the importance of the oral health in relation to general health including the link to many non-communicable diseases in schools, community centers and the general public. The oral cavity is not separate from the body and it affects the body as whole. The FDI launched the theme for WOHD to concentrate on understanding the mouth and body connection and how good oral habits can control general health risk factors. What is the relation between oral health and general health? As I said, the mouth is a mirror of the body. If we have any problems-per- iodontal disease, dental caries-they all originate from bacteria. Bacteria travel into the bloodstream and the effects can range from diabetes to heart disease. Many oral health prob- lems are related to many systemic problems in the body; if we solve these problems, we will have good results in general health. How does the Dubai Health Au- thority contribute to the promo- tion of oral health? The Dubai Health authority strategy for 2016-2021 has set a very high pri- ority for oral health. It is fifth on the list of many health related programs. We have a very well structured oral health program which covers eve- ry aspect of oral health including school students community and public awareness of oral health with emphasis on elderly and people of determination, policies, guidelines and protocols that will improve oral health of the population of Dubai. Thank you for the interview. Paediatric Oral Health Care grows into success By Sunstar Europe SA Paediatric dentistry is where the seeds of optimal oral health are planted. In recent years, the provi- sion of paediatric dental care has been steadily growing, but working with children can be challenging. In this article, James D. Nickman, DDS, president of the AAPD, describes the past few years as “exciting times” for paediatric dentistry. He sees growth in the profession, with the number of practitioners training to treat this population increasing each year. He characterizes paediatric practition- ers as a young and diverse popula- tion. Demand for paediatric dental care, Nickman believes, is driven mainly but not only by parents seek- ing the best treatment for their chil- dren.1 Products help fuel growth One of the defining characteristics of paediatric care, according to Nick- man, is that it advocates prevention. Fluoride remains key to caries-pre- vention efforts, and products, such as professionally applied fluoride varnish, have increased patient com- pliance. Likewise, Nickman adds, silver diamine fluoride is helpful in treating infants and younger chil- dren because it allows oral health professionals to medically manage the disease until the children are better able to tolerate treatment. Advancements in restorative materi- als have improved the aesthetics of treatment among children. The use of laser technology to treat caries, re- move bone, or treat hard and soft tis- sue is also growing among paediatric dental practices, with such benefits reported as reductions in post-oper- ative infection, reduced anxiety for patients due to decreased noise level, and less need for anesthesia.2 The dental market has developed a variety of products designed to appeal to children such as manual toothbrushes featuring kid-friendly motifs that include bright colours and patterns, and friendly mon- ster characters for ages 2 and older. Toothpastes, too, have been tailored to the paediatric population, and in- clude fun flavours. Oral health literacy and safe practice above all In many cases, children depend on a parent or caregiver to provide self-care and it is important to keep instructions simple. In addition, care plans should be developed and discussed in a culturally appropri- ate manner whenever possible. Part of making that treatment optimal, is for practitioners to spend the time necessary to communicate the needs of the child and options for treatment in understandable lan- guage. Children and their parents may historically have dreaded visit- ing the dental office, but advances in products and practice methods are overcoming the barriers that once separated young children from vital treatment. Despite the challenges this trend will present, it provides an opportunity for the dental profes- sion to showcase its strengths and lead generations of patients on the path to optimal oral health. References 1. Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission. Medicaid Access in Brief: Children’s Dental Services. Available at: https://www.macpac. gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ Childrens-access-to-dental-services. pdf 2. Kotlow L. Lasers in pediatric den- tistry. In: Convissar RA. Principles and Practice of Laser Dentistry. 2nd ed. Maryland Heghts, Missouri: Mos- by/Elsevier; 2016:182/202. 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