Dr Darwish poses for a group photo alongside famous football players – Abdulkarim Hassan, Al Sadd Sports Club player and Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona FC player – and other officials and students during an event held at the Al Sadd Sports Club to mark the Wor
Hamad Dental Center at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is hosting a number of activities at schools and sports clubs between 20 and 28 March in recognition of World Oral Health Day and GCC Oral Health Week.
World Oral Health Day aims to raise awareness about the important connection between oral health and a person’s general well-being and quality of life. Similarly, GCC Oral Health Week aims to unify activities and awareness programs that contribute to the promotion of oral and dental health in all GCC countries.
As part of activities planned in recognition of the occasion, Hamad Dental Center staff will visit a number of schools and sports clubs around the country engaging the public by providing free dental check-ups and counseling. They will also hold workshops and distribute education materials to students and sports club patrons.
“We are glad to be holding a series of activities during World Oral Health Day and GCC Oral Health Week to highlight the importance of oral health. We are always keen to raise awareness among Qatar’s population about the importance of oral health and the impact it has on overall health and well-being,” said Dr Mohammed Sultan Al Darwish, Consultant of Dental Public Health, Hamad Dental Center, HMC.
In Qatar, about 85 percent of schoolchildren experience tooth decay and other oral health problems, according to research by the Hamad Dental Center in 2014. Dr Al Darwish says it is important for the public to understand that good oral health is much more than a nice smile. He says that oral diseases can impact every aspect of an individual’s life – including their ability to perform basic physical functions.
“Brushing one’s teeth twice a day, flossing daily and consuming a healthy diet are simple things we can all do to protect our oral health and overall well-being. It’s also important to seek professional dental care as soon as an oral health problem arises,” noted Prof Johann de Vries, CEO and Director of Hamad Dental Center, HMC.
