Abstract:
The oral health program on Oral Health Promotion in Schools and Primary Health Services in Host Communities of Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP’s) in Nigeria was launched on January 25, 2022. This project took place in three different Local Government Areas (LGAs), Fufore, Girei, Yola South and covered six different communities, Malkohi (Yola South LGA), Sangere Sabon Gari, Damare (Girei LGA), Pariya, Daware, Farang, and Wuro Bokki (Fufore LGA).
The implementation of the Oral Health Project was divided into five phases. These included identification and selection of Community Health Workers (CHWs), the training of selected CHWs on Oral Health, Hygiene and awareness by Dr. David Laban at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) with valuable inputs on Oral Health and Hygiene from affiliated health agencies including Dr. Ibrahim Sahabo from the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Emmanuel Pembi and Dr. Ahemen Terseer from the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Dogara Paul from AUN Health Services, Dr. Mohammed Chubado from the Adamawa State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (SACA), Dr. Nasiru Mohammed from Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative.
Description:
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide are
affected by oral diseases, with 3 out of 4 people living in low-resource countries (WHO, 2023). The 2022 Global Oral Health report published by the WHO shows that most cases of oral diseases are dental caries, periodontal diseases, tooth loss and oral cancers, with untreated dental caries in permanent teeth as the most common oral condition (WHO, 2022). Other oral diseases and conditions that are a public health concern are orofacial clefts, Noma, and oro-dental trauma (WHO, 2023).
Oral disease, while preventable and treatable to a very large extent when detected early, pose a major health burden for many countries, and can interfere with the ability of people to lead normal lives. The burden of oral diseases has high social, economic, and health systems consequences. It is also an indication of significant inequalities in the society. For example, noma, an oral disease that disfigures the mouth and face, can be fatal if left untreated. The disease, which is primarily found in Sub-Saharan Africa, is a marker of extreme poverty (WHO, 2016). Fortunately, with the help of proven and cost-effective interventions, these people need not suffer needlessly, or in worst case scenarios, die.
