Health deputy DG: Improving access to oral healthcare crucial in rural Sarawak, Sabah

SIBU (Oct 30): There is much more that needs to be done to improve the access to oral health services, particularly in the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah.

In stating this, Health deputy director-general (Dental Health) Dr Noormi Othman said this is necessary despite Malaysia having already implemented the majority of the actions outlined in the Global Strategy on Oral Health and the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023-2030.

“The Global Strategy on Oral Health and the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023-2030 outlines 100 actions to improve oral health globally, and Malaysia has implemented most of these actions.

“However, there is still a need to expand the access to oral health services, particularly in the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah,” she said at the First Borneo Oral Health Conference 2024 here recently.

Dr Noormi also shared the aspirations of the ‘White Paper on Health’, which aims for a healthy nation, an equitable and resilient health system, and an innovative health ecosystem that is valued by the community.

More than 230 participants from the industry, government and non-government organisations, academics, and students from institutions of higher education attended this conference, organised in collaboration between Kelab Warga Kerja Pejabat Pergigian Bahagian Sibu, Persatuan Juruterapi Pergigian Malaysia Cawangan Sarawak, Sibu Division Dental Office, and Sibu Division Health Office.

Themed ‘Transforming Oral Health Care in the Era of Health Care Reform’, the conference was meant to provide an opportunity for dental professionals in Sarawak to attend an international-level programme at an affordable registration fee.

The topics presented covered dental public health, paediatric dentistry, restorative dentistry, forensic dentistry, leadership and management, effective communication and consultation, and the prevention of smoking and vaping.

The scientific oral presentation sessions involved 17 dental therapists, who shared with the participants the studies on the oral health status of schoolchildren in Sarawak.

This provided them with an opportunity to develop skills in public speaking and knowledge sharing.

Sarawak Health Department director Dr Veronica Lugah, who officiated at the closing ceremony of the conference, was also involved in the development of the ‘White Paper on Health’, providing insights into the four pillars of health reform.

Dr Veronica also presented awards to the winners of the scientific oral presentations.

The first prize went to Beatrice Senin of Kapit Dental Office for her presentation of ‘Oral Health Status of 12-Year-Olds in SK Nanga Engkuah, SK Kapit’.

Nur Izzati Ehie from the Sibu Health Office secured second prize with her study on SK Sibu Jaya, while placing third was Faridah Morshidi from the Bintulu Health Office, who presented a similar study on SK Kampung Jepak, Bintulu.

Also present were the Health Department deputy director (oral health) Dr Misah Md Ramli; the Sibu Dental officer and chair of First Borneo Oral Health Conference 2024, Dr Wong Siong Ting; Sibu Health officer and advisor to the conference’s organising committe Dr Teh Jo Hun, and the chairperson of the Alliance for a Cavity Free Future Malaysia Chapter, Pr Dr Rahimah Abdul Kadir.