Poor oral health can affect a child’s school performance: Education

Poor oral health can have a bad impact on the quality of life of children, their performance in school and their future.

Mr. Hambert Toa, Basic Education Coordinator of the Ministry of Health, made the comment on behalf of the Director of Education, Roy Obed, at this week’s World Oral Health Day, during the ceremony at the Market House in Port Vila.

He said tooth diseases are preventable and to ensure children are aware and have the prevention services at the schools, will go a long way in ensuring the children are healthy all the time and they learn better.

“Schools are environments where children can access oral health services and they also play a vital channel with the communities,” he said adding: “in some areas schools are the only places where children can access oral health services.”

“Schools are places where there is much opportunity to promote a oral health policy to help reduce oral health-related issues can affect children and also promote a good learning environment.”

Mr. Toa said World Health Day, March 20, provided a platform for the oral health community to take the lead through action to reduce the burden associated with diseases of the teeth and mouth.

He pledged the Ministry of Education’s willingness to continue to work with the Ministry of Health through facilitation of school oral health programs and make schools become better healthy and safe environment for children to learn.