UAE – Emirates Health Services (EHS) has kicked off the second round of its nationwide survey christened ‘Children’s Type’ targeting about 2000 kids as young as 6 years old as it expands awareness of oral health.
This news follows the 2001–2002 survey, conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, aimed at providing a comprehensive database on oral and dental disorders across the UAE.
It is a collaborative project involving the Ministry of Health, Emirates Health Services, Ajman University, Sharjah University, Otago University in New Zealand, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Dental College, Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, and Dubai Health Authority.
A total of 1340 5-year-old children were examined as part of the first national survey of the oral health of children in the United Arab Emirates.
The first-of-its-kind survey at the national and regional levels will complement EHS’s efforts in promoting oral and dental health awareness and literacy among the UAE community.
In an official statement, Emirates Health Services asserted: “Maintaining healthy food style and adequate oral health habits along with periodic dental examinations are the optimum preventative strategies for common diseases.”
The second cycle of the National Survey of Children’s Oral and Dental Health will cover several schools, both public and private schools, across the UAE.
This project is part of Emirates Health Services’ goals to evaluate the prevalence of tooth decay, gum disease, and malocclusion using a random sample of kids who met the research requirements.
It will identify all possible factors and habits that can lead to oral and dental diseases affecting children while improving parental and community oral health awareness.
“The importance of the National Oral and Dental Health Survey Program for Children is reflected in its contribution to promoting and improving health awareness among parents,” outlined the EHS.
The nationwide project will play a critical role in encouraging children to adopt healthy behaviours and strengthen their orientation towards early oral and dental health examinations.
The wide range of measures is expected to foster a culture of maintaining adequate oral and dental health and introduce disease prevention strategies across the emirates.
Commenting on the ongoing project, Dr. Essam Al Zarooni, Acting Executive Director of the Medical Services Sector at EHS, stated: “The survey will raise awareness among target groups about preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing oral and dental diseases.”
In the second stage of the national survey, the EHS officials will target specific age groups, ranging from kids 5 to 6 years old and tweens 12 to 15 years old.
This project aims to enable EHS to develop a comprehensive database to develop an integrated health system, which contributes to the provision of a proactive healthcare initiative.
EHS’ list of proactive services was set based on expecting and forecasting the healthcare services that the customer might need based on his needs, preferences, and life events.
This is based on data, information, and documents known to the government, and proposing them to him in a timely manner, and before requesting the service.
Additionally, the nationwide survey will pave the way for the development of specific preventive care programmes tailored to the needs of children in the United Arab Emirates.
The National Survey of Children’s Oral and Dental Health will also support future national scientific research across the Emirates.
It will build on EHS’ strategy to extend the current survey with the launch of the National Oral and Dental Health Survey “Adult Group” project.
Emirates Health Services is a forerunner in launching several initiatives and projects aimed at improving the quality of life of the population of the United Arab Emirates.
The ongoing survey is in line with the organization’s strategic objectives as well as the directions of visionary leadership.
Ultimately, this survey will contribute to the achievement of the “We the UAE 2031” vision and the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan.
It will provide policymakers with information that can be used to improve the oral health of the population and the overall oral health care system in the United Arab Emirates.
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