The Dental Division Office of the City Health Office (CHO) has served tens of thousands of Dabawenyos through its regular programs and special activities.
From July 2023 to May this year, 24,243 patients received free oral examination, 7,949 patients availed themselves of free tooth extraction procedure, while 2,539 patients had permanent tooth filling.
A total of 12,518 patients were also given oral prophylaxis and fluoride application, and 13,687 patients had dental consultation.
These are the aggregate numbers for the dental division’s staple services currently implemented across all health centers in Davao City.
Under its Day Care Bayanihan activity, the division gave lectures and dental health kits as well as fluoride application to 12,518 daycare pupils. Its participation in the local government’s Caravan of Services led to some 13,000 residents from various barangays in Districts 2 and 3 receiving dental hygiene kits and around 7,000 tooth extractions. The division has also given free tooth extractions and over a thousand dental kits through various public-private partnership outreach programs.
The Dental Division has also recently joined the Barangay Serbisyo Publiko program for barangays in Poblacion and distributed over 400 dental kits. It also joined the Peace 911 caravan this month and distributed another 400 dental kits to residents in Marilog and Paquibato.
Dr. Rowena Go, the division’s chief, said that the CHO Dental Division also continues to deliver services to far-flung areas under its Mobile Dental Vehicle (MDV) program. The CHO currently has three dental buses that deliver services to remote daycare centers and barangays.
“Tumong gyud sa atong mobile dental vehicle na makaabot ta sa pinakasuok na part sa Davao City ‘nya ma-serve gihapon nato atong mga Dabawenyos. In spite sa kalayo sa lugar, maabot gihapon nato sila pinagi sa atong dental bus,” Go said.
The division usually partners with the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) to ensure that an ample amount of clients, which is at least more than 200, will benefit from the services of the MDV.
“Kasagaran makagawas gyud na atong dental bus ‘pag mag-request sila ug makasigurado pud sila nga ingana ka daghan ilang clients,” she added.
She said schools or barangays that want MDV services should file a request at least a couple of months before their desired schedule. The division is also open to partnering with private organizations to conduct dental outreach programs within the city.
For those with dental problems, Dabawenyos are advised to visit the nearest District Health Center on Mondays to Fridays. CIO
