Question
Q11: What are the long-term benefits for the public?
Answer:

A11: The public will benefit from better access to quality healthcare, with advanced equipment readily available in county facilities. The program also enhances healthcare worker skills through continuous training. Over time, the revenue generated from SHA services and insurance reimbursements will be reinvested into local healthcare, ensuring that services remain sustainable and accessible, ultimately supporting improved health outcomes across Kenya.

Question
1. What does oral health mean?
Answer:

1. Oral health means health of the mouth including the head, face and oral cavity.

Question
2. Why does oral health matter?
Answer:
  1. Essential to maintaining general health and well-being, and a good quality of life.
  2. Oral disease impacts every aspect of life, including personal relationships and self-confidence.
  3. Oral disease leads to pain, anxiety, disfigurement, infections, eating as well as sleep disruption
Question
3. What is the association between oral health and mental health?
Answer:
  1. Good Oral Health ensures a happy smile
  2. Misaligned teeth associated with low esteem
  3. Bad Breath associated with low esteem
  4. Painful teeth disrupt work, learning and normal social interactions
  5. Fear of Dentists can lead to poor oral health
Question
4. What are the main risk factors for oral diseases?
Answer:
  1.  Poor oral hygiene
  2.  Unhealthy diets high in sugar
  3. Substance abuse- tobacco, khat
  4.  Harmful alcohol consumption.

#Maintaining good oral health and managing risk factors can help in the prevention of other major NCDs (cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes).

Question
5. What can be done to improve oral health?
Answer:
  1. BALANCED DIET / REDUCED INTAKE OF SUGARS/ HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
  • Eat well balanced meals and replace sugary drinks with water
  • Limit sugar intake and encourage replacement dieting for e.g eat fruits instead of sweets, Sweet Potato in place of Cake
  • Avoid smoking
  • Limit alcohol intake.
  1. PRACTICE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE
  • Brush Twice a day
  • Brush with Fluoridated Toothpaste
  • Brush properly for at least 2 minutes
  • After Brushing try not rinsing, but spit
  • Do not brush too hard
  • Between teeth cleaning with interdental brushes, floss
  1. SELF ORAL CARE
  • Do not allow teeth with cavities to stay for long without attention even if there is no pain
  • Watch out for non-healing wounds in the mouth, visit the dentist for the same
  • Avoid regular intake of acidic foods and drinks, may cause erosion
  • Avoid Grinding your teeth as a habit, visit your dentist if unable to stop
  • Wear a mouthguard when participating in contact sports or high-risk activities
  1. REGULAR VISITS TO DENTISTS
  • Good practice to do routine dental checkups every six months to once a year is recommended