WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY: General Hospital Apapa Takes Campaign To Community, Anjorin Market

 

In commemoration of World Oral Health Day, the General Hospital Apapa,Lagos on Thursday, took the campaign to its immediate host community ,through sensitization and awareness of the benefits of mouth maintenance toward preventing illness.

The 2025 World Oral Health Day theme is “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Mind”, which also emphasized on the interconnectedness of oral health and mental well-being.

Speaking shortly after the sensitization at the popular Anjorin market in Apapa, Medical Director , General Hospital Apapa, Dr. Omolara Agbaje who stated that the target audience for the year , focused on students , traders and stakeholders of port city ,called on residence of the community to take advantage of the facilities for oral health and general well being.

Dr. Agbaje stated that poor oral hygiene could lead to cavity and teeth loss adding that bad habit of the mouth care can also lead to low esteem , lack of self confidence and poor social interaction.

Dental Department Team of the General Hospital Apapa during the sensitization of World Oral Health Day at Anjorin Market on Thursday in Lagos.

According to him, a happy mind is a happy body, while describing the mouth plays crucial role as a gate way to the oral body,

Apparently reiterating that bad breath would have psychological effects on the individuals,the MD said the campaign would continue after the world oral health day celebration, noting that the campaign and advocacy will run all  through the year.

The target audience she stated, will benefit from the advocacy campaign for oral hygiene and well being .

She stated that the oral health campaign commenced since last week, in line with hospital ‘ s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), adding that the Dental Department team of the hospital has flagged off the campaign for the sensitization of traders and students, mostly as it affects primary schools.

The Medical Director, while advising the public to maintaining good oral health against the backdrop of bad breath, maintained that ” Some of the common causes of bad breath include poor brushing habit and everybody should brush at less twice daily and adequately.”

Continuing, the MD added that “Dental decay, extensive gum disease and also not brushing the tongue adequately would also lead to bad breath “.

 

She urged the public to always brush and clean the back end of the tongue to help clear rough edge, urging that eating of natural food like vegetables and fruits should be encouraged to help project good breath.

The 2025 campaign highlights how conditions like gum disease or tooth loss can impact self-esteem and social relationships, while also underscoring the role of preventive care in maintaining holistic health. The theme aligns with global efforts to integrate oral health into broader public health strategies, particularly in regions like Africa, where initiatives address systemic challenges like limited access to care and workforce shortages.