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- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I have accepted the challenge of the Dental Services to address the press conference they are organising in the context of World Oral Health Day, with the very apt theme they have chosen "Oral Health at Every Age for Health and Quality of Life".
March 20 has been established by the World Dental Federation as a day to celebrate oral health with a dual purpose. On the one hand, to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining oral health throughout a person's life and, on the other hand, to make oral health a priority in health and development policies.
As the Ministry of Health, we place particular emphasis on oral health, recognizing its importance and its interconnectedness with general health. The adoption by all Member States, including Cyprus, of the World Health Organization's resolution on oral health is a key element in the promotion and upgrading of oral health to make it a priority in health policy planning.
Most risk factors for chronic diseases (cancer, obesity, diabetes, etc.) are also common to diseases of the oral cavity.
The Ministry of Health, with a view to promoting the oral health of the entire population of Cyprus and taking into account the guidelines of the World Health Organization, continues through the Dental Services to offer a wide range of dental care services with very low fees to people who meet certain financial criteria.
At the same time, investing in the other important pillar of prevention, the preventive programs of the Dental Services have been strengthened by expanding the age groups This includes the pilot tooth brushing programme implemented this year in selected schools in Nicosia, attended by children with an immigrant background.
I warmly congratulate the schools and teachers who participated in the programme and at the same time I especially thank the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports for its long-standing cooperation and support to the programmes of the Ministry of Health, both in school dentistry and school health services.
The Ministry of Health promotes public-private partnership programs, recognizing the contribution of the latter in promoting and improving the health of our country's citizens. In this context, expenditure amounting to €166,000 for 2023 is covered by the Ministry of Health for free dental care for all pupils in Grade 5 of primary schools with the collaboration of private sector dentists.
On the occasion of the presence of representatives of the Pancyprian Dental Association, I would like to thank them publicly for the participation of their members in the Dental Services and Pancyprian Dental Association Cooperation Programme and for the good cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Recognizing, therefore, that good health begins in the mouth and is linked to the maintenance of oral health throughout a person's life, the Ministry of Health actively encourages and supports any actions that help to raise awareness among all stakeholders of health professionals, educators and parents in this direction.
I therefore congratulate the Dental Services for their initiative in holding today's event, which includes an educational workshop on: "Oral Health at any age for health and quality of life" with the aim of raising awareness and educating health professionals.
In conclusion, I would like to thank especially the two distinguished esteemed professors, Ms. Sotiria Gizani and Ms. Anastasia Kosioni for their prompt response and willingness to share their valuable knowledge, experience and the latest developments in their field free of charge. I would also like to thank all those who contributed to the realization of this workshop.
Finally, I would like to assure you that both I personally and the Minister of Health will continue our full support and will strengthen your efforts to promote the oral health of our country.
Note: The greeting was read by the Director of Dental Services, Ms Andri Aristotelous, on behalf of Dr. Christina Giannakis.
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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