Honiara Celebrates World Oral Health Day with a Call for Action

Solomon Islands Government ministries, international partners, and schools united to celebrate World Oral Health Day, highlighting the urgent need for better oral hygiene and education nationwide.

Permanent Secretary (PS) for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Mrs Pauline McNeil, highlighted the importance of oral health in maintaining overall well-being.

She said healthy teeth and gums allow people to speak clearly, eat comfortably, and smile confidently, while poor oral hygiene can cause discomfort, embarrassment, and mental distress.

“But let’s not wait for one day of the year to remind us that; it should be an everyday and a daily reminder,” Mrs. McNeil reiterated.

She said that oral diseases are among the most common but preventable non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, affecting approximately 3.5 billion people.

The Global Oral Health Status Report (WHO, 2022) ranked the Solomon Islands as having the highest rate of tooth decay in baby teeth among children aged 1–9 years in the Western Pacific region.

The country also ranked third in the region regarding tooth decay cases in permanent teeth among children aged five and older.

“Among 27 countries in the region, we also rank third in cases of tooth decay in permanent teeth in children aged five years and older. "These numbers show us that we need to do more to improve oral health education and care”, Mrs. McNeil said.

“Oral diseases, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer, share the same risk factors as other diseases like diabetes. This means that if we take care of our oral health and eat healthy and the right food, we can also help prevent other lifestyle diseases." 

"The mouth is the entry point for the food we eat and drink and the harmful substances we take, so let’s think before we do anything harmful to our body and overall health we eat and drink. This is why investing in oral health education is an important step in improving the overall health of our people”, Mrs McNeil said.

She acknowledged that many Solomon Islanders struggle to access dental care, especially in rural areas, due to a lack of services, trained professionals, and financial constraints. Tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems affect children and adults, but she believes raising awareness, educating people, and taking preventive steps can create change.

“The best way to fight oral diseases is through prevention. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, eating healthy foods, and visiting the dentist regularly can protect our teeth. At the same time, we must stop harmful habits like consuming too much sugar and chewing betel nuts, which can cause oral cancer and other serious health problems.”

The Ministry of Health remains committed to improving oral healthcare nationwide and ensuring access for all. The government will continue working on policies and programs that support oral health for everyone.

She stressed that achieving this goal requires the support of the government, stakeholders, healthcare workers, schools, communities, churches, and families.

She urged parents to teach their children good oral hygiene, schools to include oral health lessons in their curriculum, and community leaders to advocate for clean water, healthy food, and better healthcare.

Representing the Australian and New Zealand governments, Australia’s High Commission Human Development Counselor, Dr. Tristan Amstrong, reinforced the importance of oral health.

He encouraged children at the event to make brushing their teeth a daily habit.

As the Solomon Islands faces significant oral health challenges, stakeholders must act now to prioritize prevention and ensure a healthier future for all.