A Surgical Dentist at the Tarkwa Municipal Hospital, Dr. Paintsil, is calling for a total ban on sugary beverages and candies in basic schools, citing a worrying rise in dental problems among children.
His call follows a free dental health screening exercise conducted for pupils in the Tarkwa enclave by the Gold Fields Foundation in collaboration with Unilever Ghana.
According to Dr. Paintsil, the screening revealed alarming trends, with one in every four children diagnosed with tooth decay and dental caries. He stressed that the findings highlight an urgent need for intensified dental health education in schools.
He attributed the growing cases largely to the excessive consumption of sweets and sugary drinks, which are readily available to children within school environments.
“When you look around, you find all kinds of sweets and sugary beverages. This is exposing pupils to tooth decay and dental caries. As a matter of public health concern, I am calling for a total ban on these products in basic schools to protect our children,” he stated.
Dr. Paintsil further urged authorities to regulate the sale of such products in school canteens and nearby shops to help curb the situation.
Meanwhile, Project Coordinator for the Gold Fields Foundation, Aisha Mohammed Obeng, explained that the initiative forms part of efforts to promote proper oral hygiene among pupils, especially as the world marks World Oral Health Day.
“Our focus is to educate pupils in our host communities on proper dental care and hygiene practices, particularly ahead of World Oral Health Day,” she noted.
Dental health in Ghana continues to face significant challenges. Reports indicate that about 95% of Ghanaians suffer from oral diseases, while over 84% have never visited a dentist, underscoring the urgent need for sustained public education and preventive care.
The call for a ban on sugary products in schools is expected to spark conversation among policymakers, educators, and parents on how best to safeguard the oral health of children.
Source: Starrfm.com.com/Hajia Fati
