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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