PREPARATIONS to conduct an Oral Health Survey to determine the current burden of oral health conditions in Zimbabwe are on ongoing, with the Health and Child Care Ministry expecting to conduct one in May this year.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
In an interview with HealthTimes, Oral Health Deputy Director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Hardwicke Matikiti said the last survey was conducted in 1995.
For the record, the last national oral health survey was done in 1995. That was the second one after independence. At that time there was a national oral health plan which is a policy. However because all records were on paper, with no electronic backup we have not been able to get hold of it.
“So the Ministry of Health is going to conduct a national oral health survey in 2022, to establish a baseline of our oral health disease burden. The Ministry has prepared a protocol and other preparations are ongoing. We should be ready to start in May 2022.”
He explained that the survey intends to investigate the oral diseases prevalence.
“The essence of national oral health survey is to enable us to determine the prevalence of the common oral diseases such as tooth decay(caries), gum diseases i.e gingivitis and periodontitis, oral cancer and injuries to the face/teeth,” Dr Matikiti said.
Guided by the survey results, Dr Matikiti said they will update the National Oral Health Policy.
“Thereafter the country will work on a national oral health policy and strategy, aligned to the national health strategy 2021-2025. The strategy is basically how we intend to tackle the oral health conditions in the population over time (reducing the burden). What will guide us on our achievements are targets set and tracking those targets ie monitoring and evaluation,” he stated.
He said oral health services are available in the public health sector namely preventive, promotive, restorative (fillings) interventions.
“Regarding oral health services in the public sector, they are available but not at the desired levels. However the government has already taken the initiative to avail modern dental equipment nationally, initially covering all central hospitals and provincial hospitals.
” In addition at least three selected district hospitals per province will also receive equipment. It is important to note that city councils also known as local government are part of the public sector (sic government),” Dr Matikiti said.
World Health Organisation Africa Director Dr Matshidiso Moeti in her World Oral Health Day remarks on March 20, 2022, said most oral diseases are preventable.
“In the WHO African Region, more than 480 million people suffer from oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease and tooth loss, despite most of these being preventable.
