Tooth Decay, Hindi Okay

The Philippine National Dental Health Month is observed in our country every February. This observance started as National Dental Health Week in 1951, but was expanded into a month-long event in 2004 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 559 signed by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Spearheaded by the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), this aims to raise public awareness on the importance of good oral hygiene.

Sadly, oral health seems to be a neglected aspect of health care among Filipinos. According to the National Monitoring and Evaluation Dental Survey conducted by the Department of Health in 2011, 77% or more than 7 out of 10 Filipinos have never even been to a dentist. It was also found that 87% of Filipinos (about 91 million) have tooth decay.

How do we maintain good oral hygiene? Here are some tips from the PDA:

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