TACLOBAN CITY - The Department of Health-Eastern Visayas has intensified its campaign on oral health hygiene strategies among children under the age of 6 years old.

Otherwise known as the “Orally Fit Child” (OFC) program, the campaign was officially launched last February 24, 2005 simultaneously throughout the country during the 1st National Dental Health Month Celebration.

Strongly emphasizing on oral hygiene, then DOH Secretary Manuel Dayrit issued Department Order # 123, s. 2004 to insure the promotion and embarking on OFC campaign on children 0-6 years old to be an orally fit child by year 2010.

DOH aims to increase the proportion of Orally Fit Child by 2010 aiming that every child entering Grade school (grade 1) should be orally fit and have positive oral health hygiene habits and practices thereby reducing the burden of oral diseases for school children.

Among the campaign strategies done includes participating in parades, adopting a pre-school in respective barangays, the conduct of health education campaigns for children and mothers, awareness activities through contests/games, parade, toothbrushing drills, outreach, health fair and promote & advocate OFC through the tri-media.

In Region 8, aside from the mentioned on the spot activities includes oral examination, tooth extraction and restoration were likewise being emphasize in the province of Biliran and other parts of the region.

According to DOH-8 Acting Information Officer Marissa Nicolasora in an interview at Leyte Park Hotel, an orally fit child below 71 months old (or below 6 years old) has healthy gums, no dental plaque, no decayed tooth or teeth filled and has no dento-facial anomalies.

Nicolasora said that the public should know especially this 0-6 years old children that poor oral hygiene can cause gum diseases and tooth decay. DOH in coordination with the Philippine Dental Association now are focusing on the preventive aspect of preserving one’s tooth considering it is one important strategy.

DOH-EV recommends daily tooth brushing with fluorinated toothpaste, a balanced diet intake, lessen sweet foods especially candies & chocolates and regular dental check-up.

DOH regional director Benita Pastor said that an Orally Fit Child is a Bright Child. Tooth brushing according to her is a healthy lifestyle and a healthy habit of a bright child. Breastfeeding also prevents the occurrence of childhood rampant caries stressing that a Breastfed child is Orally Fit Child.

DOH-EV likewise is monitoring and evaluating orally fit children in the region.