[시사일보=윤경희 기자] According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s 2021-2022 Children’s Oral Health Survey, the rate of experience of permanent dental caries among 12-year-old children is 58.4%, showing that more than half of the children have already experienced cavities, and the 2022 outpatient survey announced by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service According to statistics on frequent diseases, gingivitis and periodontal disease rank 2nd, and dental caries ranks 5th, so the incidence of oral diseases ranks high among the diseases experienced by the public.
Accordingly, Gwanak-gu is doing its best to promote oral health, which is directly related to the quality of life and happiness of local residents, by supporting various oral health projects regardless of age and gender.
In particular, for oral care of residents in childhood and old age and the disabled who may be vulnerable to oral care, Gwanak-gu Public Health Center is carrying out ▲Children’s fluoride application project ▲School oral health education ▲Visiting elderly oral care ▲Children’s dental treatment support project ▲Gwanak Seoul National University Dental Hospital cooperation Business ▲We are focusing on providing specialized dental care for the disabled and providing customized services for each life cycle.
First, the ‘fluoride application project’ targeting children attending daycare centers and kindergartens in the district is being promoted with a focus on improving oral health and increasing the effectiveness of cavity prevention.
Public health centers provide oral checkups and oral health education along with fluoride application to help children become interested in oral health from a young age and form good oral care habits.
In addition, oral health education is provided to elementary school students in the district. We visit public health centers to educate children so that they can form good oral hygiene habits and prevent oral diseases.
A ‘Visiting Senior Oral Care Project’ is also underway to extend the oral health and lifespan of the elderly.
Dentists and dental hygienists visit senior citizens at senior citizen centers and senior welfare centers in the district to provide oral checkups and consultations. In line with the period when the use of prosthetics increases, they are provided with the opportunity to continuously maintain and manage their oral condition, including how to prevent dry mouth and how to care for dentures. It is receiving great response from the elderly as it also provides oral education.
An elderly person at a senior center who participated in the project expressed great satisfaction, saying, “It was difficult for me to go to the dentist because I was sick, but I am so thankful that I was able to comfortably consult about various concerns near my home this time.”
In particular, the district is pursuing various projects to improve oral health equity for vulnerable groups.
We provide prevention-focused treatment along with oral checkups and oral education to low-income children under the age of 18 who are recommended by local children’s centers or elementary, middle, and high school principals.
Children who need additional dental treatment are provided free treatment in connection with local dental clinics, and 310 children benefited this year.
In addition, Gwanak-gu Public Health Center and Gwanak Seoul National University Dental Hospital are actively promoting the ‘Public Medical Cooperation Project’, which provides professional medical services to improve the oral health of the community, such as free treatment for vulnerable groups, oral health lectures, and oral education for children.
In particular, the dental clinic for the disabled at the Nangok Health Branch of the public health center has a dentist with extensive experience in treating the disabled and provides dental services such as oral X-ray imaging, oral examination, and cavity treatment to disabled people who are vulnerable to oral diseases.
Gwanak-gu Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “Gwanak-gu’s oral health project seeks to improve the oral health of the entire community through customized oral health services for each age and target group.” He added, “All residents can maintain healthy teeth and gums to maintain a happy and healthy life.” “We will continue to provide continuous support,” he said.
