THE INITIATIVE ALIGNS WITH WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION GOALS TO ENSURE THAT DENTAL SERVICES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

As part of National Dental Hygiene Month, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs recently hosted a pivotal workshop for dental practitioners, aimed at refining strategies to improve oral health services across Saint Lucia.

This initiative aligns with the Ministry's commitment to achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) goals for oral health, ensuring that dental services are better integrated and accessible to all.

Dr. Sherry Ephraim-Le Compte, Senior Dental Surgeon in the Ministry, explained the workshop’s purpose. "This workshop provides an opportunity to review the WHO’s global strategy for oral health and align it with our national programmes. We aim to ensure that the approaches we implement are effective in meeting the specific oral health needs of our communities. Key focus areas of the workshop included examining innovative tools like the Caries Prevention Approach, which aims to engage local stakeholders in improving oral health at the community level."

Dr. Ephraim further emphasized the critical connection between oral health and overall well-being. "Poor oral hygiene has been linked to an increase in bacterial load entering the bloodstream, affecting insulin levels and exacerbating conditions like diabetes. By educating both healthcare providers and the public on these links, we can create a more holistic approach to healthcare, ensuring that dental and medical practitioners work together for better patient outcomes."

The workshop delved into the critical integration of oral health within primary healthcare systems, intensified efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, and fostered strategic collaboration with departments tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs), ensuring a comprehensive and unified approach to enhancing public health outcomes.

Workshop participant and dental hygienist, Cheryl St. Cyr, expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to gain new insights through the program. “There are so many innovative ideas emerging from this workshop. I am eager to see them put into action. Everyone is excited to contribute in their own capacity to make a real difference.”

Through workshops like this, the Ministry of Health continues to make strides in improving oral health across Saint Lucia, while empowering dental practitioners to play a vital role in the country's healthcare strategy.