The Minister of Health yesterday said the status of dental health in Brunei, based on a study conducted seven years ago, shows that the nation is yet to reach the required standard of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Speaking at the official opening of a meeting on health promotion with village leaders and teachers at the International Convention Centre yesterday, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi said his ministry has taken steps by taking into consideration the promotion, prevention and health education and the setting up of the Promotion and Health Prevention division.

"Based on the study conducted seven years ago, the status did not reach the aspiration of WHO Oral Health Guidelines in both decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) and Caries and Periodontal Health Status (CPITN) as on average there were seven damaged teeth for children aged five years old while some three-year-old children lost all 20 milk teeth," he said.

He added that in January 2007, the ministry will bring in a consulting expert on community dental from the UK to assist and advise the Dental Department in implementing such a programme.

Dental and gum diseases can be prevented and one of the approaches is through community participation to gain knowledge and bring about changes in dental cleaning practices.

In general, dental damage could be prevented through a healthy lifestyle and it is the responsibility of parents or guardians to look after the dental health of their children.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi also said his ministry will assess the flouride varnish programme next year. The programme was implemented in 2005 and carried out for students categorised as high risk (Primary 1, 2 & 3), who suffered four or more damaged teeth. He also called on the Ministry of Education to include the status of student's dental health in the school report.

Speaking on dental workforce, an asset in dental services, Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi said today Brunei has 25 local dentists, three of whom are specialists. The Dental Services Department is actively involved in strengthening the skills and competency of the workforce through human resource development programmes.

Ten Bruneian dentists are undergoing specialised courses in UK and in the US, nine nurses are currently following a basic post in Penang, Malaysia, while another eight trainee nurses are at the National Dental Centre doing a diploma in dental nursing. Another 13 dental assistants are also at the Centre doing a certificate course.

Meanwhile, in the presentation delivered by Dr Hj Shamshir Hj Zainal Abidin, Director of Dental Services, he highlighted the vision, mission, importance and the status of oral health and the ratio of dentist to population in Brunei, which is one dentist for every 7,000 people and 1: over 3000 dental nurse to the population.

Over 250 village leaders and teachers took part in the event.