The Oral Health Professionals Association of Ghana (OHPAG) is calling on all Ghanaians endeavour to screen their teeth in the month of March.
The OHPAG in a statement to commemorate “the world oral health day” which falls on Thursday, March 20, 2025, urged Ghanaians to “stay healthy for the good of our country”.
The theme for the celebration is “A happy mouth… is a happy mind”.
The President of the OHPAG, Shaibu Issifu, in a statement said “on this auspicious day of the celebration, we call on citizens to prioritize their overall wellbeing by paying particular attention to their oral health needs through the following measures:
1. Brush their teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and appropriate toothbrush
2. Eat healthy diet, specifically cutting down on sugar consumption, and immediately rinse the mouth after consuming sugary food
3. Avoid tobacco and alcohol use
4. Avoid using the teeth for opening bottles or cracking hard nuts or bones
5. Visit the dental clinic at least twice a year, including sending their children”.
The statement also urged the government to “expand access to quality and equitable oral health in the country in line with SDG 3.8, take practical steps in giving meaning to the Global Strategy on Oral Health and Global Oral Health Action Plan developed and adopted by World Health Assembly which Ghana is a member and take pragmatic steps and ensure development of Oral Health Policy to guide the oral health industry in Ghana”.
It added that government must “expand the Oral Health workforce by expediting the financial clearance and posting of the middle cadres of oral health and commence the training of dental laboratory technicians”.
Mr. Issifu said “it is important to emphasize that poor oral health has greater health and social consequences on the citizens, and has contributed to low self-esteem as well as emotional and mental health problems”.
