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- Ελληνικά
Addressing the 1st International Conference of Periodontology and Implantology of the Famagusta Dental Association on behalf of the President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, the Minister of Health Dr. Popi Kanari addressed the conference.
In his speech, the President of the Republic described the conference as extremely important, stressing that it is a great honour for Cyprus that distinguished scientists from all over the world will discuss critical and emerging issues in the field of oral health and dentistry.
Oral health, he notes, is an integral part of general health and quality of life as due to their high prevalence and incidence, oral diseases pose a significant threat to public health. "Especially with regard to periodontal diseases, which are among the main causes of tooth loss, recent epidemiological data show that their prevalence ranges from 20-50% with socio-economic factors influencing their occurrence," he adds.
In this context, the President stresses, dentistry has achieved new levels of excellence. "We are witnessing revolutionary changes in dental technology. Advances in dental research make dentistry a field based on innovative technology. It is obvious that in this ever-evolving field of medicine, all health professionals have an ethical responsibility to update their level of knowledge," says President Christodoulides.
As far as our country is concerned, the President says that it has made great strides in the field of improving oral health. "The School Dental Care Programme was launched in 1980 in cooperation with the Pancyprian Dental Association. Currently, about 8000 primary school children benefit from the program on an annual basis," he adds.
He points out that the new Health Care System introduced in 2019 compensates preventive dental care to all eligible citizens. Based on data from the Health Insurance Agency, he says, more than 250,000 citizens visited a dentist in 2021 to receive preventive dental care.
He also notes that one of the government's immediate objectives is to draft a bill that will regulate the operation of dental clinics, filling a long-standing gap that has existed to date and ensuring that citizens receive quality dental services.
He even states that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with all stakeholders who will be invited to submit their views, will formulate a national strategy for oral health.
In conclusion, the President of the Republic expresses his sincere thanks to the organizing committee, headed by Dr. Abraham, President of the Famagusta Dental Association, for the great effort they made in order to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the first International Congress of Periodontology and Implantology.
(DK)
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