OUTSHOORN NEWS - Oral health is most often only prioritised when discomfort or pain has already set in. Tooth decay and gum disease are widespread issues affecting millions of people globally, and can significantly impact your overall health.
"September is Oral Health Month, an important time to reflect on our dental health and raise awareness about how crucial it is to access quality dental care," says Nadia Ferreira, Western Cape Health spokesperson for the Garden Route and Central Karoo, in a recent media release.
"Gum disease ranks second only to the common cold in terms of prevalence, with an estimated 90% of South Africans experiencing the problem at some point. Dental care is available for all vulnerable communities and the department encourages people to obtain information on how to access oral health care correctly to avoid any confusion or disappointment."
Dr Chanel Biljohn, the department's dentist for the Oudtshoorn and Kannaland sub-districts, says oral health plays an integral part in overall health. "Prevention is key: book your appointment for consultation and dental cleanings for the whole family this oral health month!" she says.
"We provide dental education in these sessions to parents with little ones, children, and everyone where we see the need. As soon as the first tooth appears in a child's mouth, parents or caregivers should schedule their first dental appointment."
Services Oudtshoorn and Kannaland sub-districts
Principal dentist Dr Chanel Biljohn, community service dentist Dr Theo Venter, and dental assistants Muriel Brown and Elize Swanepoel work at the Oudtshoorn Dental Clinic at the Seppie Greeff building in Voortrekker Road, Oudtshoorn. Appointments are made monthly, in advance for the next month, on the last working day of the month. The next appointment day will be on 30 September for the month of October. Patients can call the clinic on 044 272 2245 or come in physically to schedule an appointment.
Services offered include:
• Preventive treatment: dental consultations, dental cleanings (scale and polish), fissure sealants and fluoride treatments
• Emergency treatment: dental extractions, abscess management and intermaxillary fixation (closed reduction of maxillo-mandibular fractures)
• Restorative treatment: restorations including root canal treatment for anterior teeth
The oral hygienist, Johanda Basson, supports communities by promoting oral health through education and preventive measures. She visits local creches and primary schools to conduct educational sessions and fluoride treatments.
The department encourages parents to sign consent for its dental team to provide important oral health care to their child in a convenient setting - at school.
The oral health team also renders outreach services in the rest of the Oudtshoorn and Kannaland sub-districts. The team also renders emergency dental care at Dysselsdorp Clinic, De Rust Clinic, Bridgton Clinic, Calitzdorp Clinic, Zoar Clinic and Van Wyksdorp Clinic, as well as the schools and creches in the two sub-districts.
Appointments at outreach clinics can be made at the respective clinics mentioned above. Please bring along your ID or clinic card. Patients under 18 need parental or guardian consent for surgical procedures like extractions.
Pregnant women are advised to consult dental services before dental treatment is offered to mitigate potential dental health challenges.
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