The Department of Health in Bicol region (DOH-5) and the Sorsogon Provincial Health Office (PHO) held earlier this week a summit to promote good oral health care and services as part of the celebration of National Oral Health Month.

In a press statement released on Thursday, DOH-5 Regional Director Rodolfo Antonio Albornoz said the summit aimed to strengthen oral health advocacy by engaging various stakeholders, including barangay health workers, development management officers, health education and promotion officers, dentists, and other oral health advocates.

Albornoz emphasized the need to enhance the promotion of oral health programs, citing that only 32.71 percent of the eligible population in the region is considered “orally fit,” based on the status of Basic Oral Health Care and Services in 2024.

He also encouraged the public to take advantage of the government’s oral health services.

Among the programs discussed were the #Ngiting7020 program, the Dentist Deployment Program, and the SMILE Sorsogon Program, all aimed at improving access to oral health services.

These services are available at Rural Health Units (RHUs) and hospitals as part of initiatives under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring a wider access to essential health care.

Albornoz added that oral health services will be integrated into the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center, which is part of the DOH’s flagship programs under the leadership of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

The program will be enhanced through PuroKalusugan, which focuses on promoting healthy habits and raising health awareness through campaigns targeted at households in villages.

The director thanked the Sorsogon PHO for their active participation and ongoing commitment to improving oral health services in the region. (PNA)