The government has been challenged to consider dental care under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) policy to help eradicate the dental problem, Dr. George Nana Brown, a dentist practicing in the United Kingdom has stated.
Dr Brown who is a shareholder of Smile 4 Ghana Foundation stated that a survey conducted revealed that many people living in deprived areas in the country do not have the access to dental care mainly because of financial issues, hence the need to classify it under the NHIS.
He also called on the government to within the possible time while considering the capturing dental health under the NHIS should make dental care free to all citizens in Ghana regardless of their financial status.
Dr. Brown made this call during a free dental screening for the people of Tema Newtown organized by the Smile 4 Ghana Foundation, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.
Dr. Brown said it was because of this that was why Smile 4 Ghana Foundation team who are also dentists decided to start the foundation to help people in these areas but they cannot do all since some require surgery.
He added that both pregnant and nursing mothers dental care issues should be more convenient to them as it also sometimes contributes to complications during and after childbirth because dental cases could lead to diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Answering a question on the major problem of dental issues that had been detected in Tema Newtown, he said that the major problem there was tooth decay and because the people could not afford to go see the dentist they leave it like that.
Dr. Brown said he did not believe in the fact that some doctors say one must visit the dentist twice a year but an individual has to go see the dentist based on what the issue is with the tooth.
He advised the general to cut down on sugary foods, make sure they brushed their teeth both day and night and also try as much as possible to reduce how they spend money on things that will destroy their lives but rather save and be able to see a dentist when the need arises.
