Ghana currently has less than 150 Dentists with the ratio being one doctor to 130,000 patients (1: 130,000). This is due to the high cost of dentistry training and the complex nature of the profession.
Dr. Eric Asamoah, President of the Ghana Dental Association (GDA) made this known during the launching of Four Fruits and Silver Care Oral Care products by the Media Pharmacy limited in collaboration with Piave Oral Care in Kumasi on Friday.
Silver Care Oral Care Products are oral products that are active in fighting bacteria infection in the mouth and are patronized by 45 countries.
Dr. Asamoah further noted that several regions in the country do not have dentists, adding that Western, Central and Volta regions have less than five dentists each.
Kumasi and Accra, he said have 80 per cent of dentists in the country, lamenting that Ghana is not doing well as far as oral health is concerned saying that 80 per cent of Ghanaians have gum diseases one form or the other.
He mentioned some oral diseases as tumors cancers, mouth odour, tooth decay among others, and outlined the importance of the mouth and called for prevention by reducing sugar intake and brushing twice daily.
Dr. James Amoateng, Secretary for the GDA also gave an overview of oral health in Ashanti region and said more school children have periodontal diseases and caries and advocated for the strengthening of oral health education in schools.
He also called for further studies to determine the oral health status and treatment need among children.
Alhaji Dr. Muhammed Ben Ibrahim, Regional Director of Health Services, also indicated that technology has affected consumer preference and called on Piavi Oral care to manage strategically to move with the times and be competitive.
He also called on Food and Drugs Board to regulate the influx of fake tooth paste in he country.
Mr. Ben Laryea, Country Manager of Media Pharmacy limited, said some of the products were, silver Care Sensitive Gum tooth paste, Silver Care Dental Floss, Silver Care Gifts Pack, Mouth Wash, Tongue Cleaner and intra dental brushes. He called on all Ghanaians to patronize their products.
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