12 per cent of elders toothless in Sri Lanka: Minister

23 March 2024 03:02 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 19 Bookmark

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Colombo, March 22 (Daily Mirror) - Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said 12 per cent of the elderly population in Sri Lanka have lost all their teeth, and therefore the importance of dental health should be taught at school level.

Addressing a function to mark World Oral Health Day, the minister said it is important to maintain oral dental health right throughout life. He said a lot of people suffer from oral cancer in the country today.

He stressed the importance of following proper health habits to prevent such diseases.

Comments - 19

Lk Saturday, 23 March 2024 03:22 AM

Can you afford to give free dental treatments in all hospital to protect these people ? Yes education is important but we should have facilities as well...people don't have food to eat and you are talking about teeths? What is it important?

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Mohannad Saturday, 23 March 2024 04:11 AM

100% true - this helps to create a healthy generation. When I was 45 years ago, when I saw a doctor for a cavity when I was 12 - the only option left of extract it immediately - Our dental institute did a good job too

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Mmk Saturday, 23 March 2024 06:16 AM

Why you are worried about tooth. First think about cost of living and day today life how to improve the poor people.

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P Kunchithapathan Saturday, 23 March 2024 06:39 AM

Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said 12 per cent of the elderly population in Sri Lanka have lost all their teeth, and therefore the importance of dental health should be taught at school level. What a golden words they are indeed. Elderly population of this sacred country had been made not only toothless, but spineless too. All the governments came to power miserably failed to uphold quality health service by implementing well structured health system where the service starts from General Physicians to specialists. Service level in Government hospitals is in deplorable condition. For example, two out of the the three Radiation machines are out of order for months and the plight of the poor cancer patients left with no option other than to seek service from the private hospitals at exhorbitant price over Rs.200,000.00.

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Shera Saturday, 23 March 2024 07:09 AM

Good oral hygiene should start at home even when the babies are infants and toddlers. Many students by the time they join kindergarten have rotten teeth. When infants have got their first teeth parents must gently brush with a finger-brush and massage the gums lightly. After age 1 toddlers teeth must be brushed and then they should be taught to brush on their own by the time they are 3 and if they have matured enough.

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Jeanne Saturday, 23 March 2024 07:15 AM

And the other 88% are gutless .... all will be proved when they vote the Rajapakses come back into power.

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Raam Saturday, 23 March 2024 07:53 AM

Provide assistance to elders who need dentures

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Simon Saturday, 23 March 2024 08:06 AM

Balance 88% brainless.

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Citizens Saturday, 23 March 2024 08:29 AM

Tooth fillings are so damn expensive. It's a natural process that as you age your teeth become less strong due to various reasons. But an elderly person cannot afford a filling now. The filling tends to come out after some time and then one has to fill it again! Might as well get the tooth extracted. I personally know of a lady who got two of her teeth extracted because she couldn't afford a filling, and she possibly couldn't afford a refilling!! So there you go..!!

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Terrence K Saturday, 23 March 2024 08:39 AM

Since some of the Legislators are oldies and may be toothless that is why the public do not understand what the legislators are saying which is incomprehensible and in turn the response of the legislators are poor and not relative to the questions asked as there is a hearing defect too !!!!!!!!

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Naaki Lombo Saturday, 23 March 2024 09:06 AM

So obvious then that all 225 in the parliament are toothless

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FarFar Saturday, 23 March 2024 10:41 AM

But 80% of our population are spinless and brainless to put our country to current pathetic situation.

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Sambo Saturday, 23 March 2024 11:03 AM

How many in parliament, if you please.

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sam Saturday, 23 March 2024 12:49 PM

Elders mean what age?

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Mahila Saturday, 23 March 2024 09:33 PM

Trying to Close the Stable Door after Horse has Bolted!!??

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Rip Winkle Saturday, 23 March 2024 09:45 PM

With no food to chew on these days, does it matter?

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Punchi Sunday, 24 March 2024 07:25 AM

We spend more on Defence and Security services than on Health and Education combined. Then we complain about our lack of health care and quality of education. We can’t have it both ways

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Patcitz Sunday, 24 March 2024 06:58 PM

Oh... then bring those elderly pupulation back to school to start from LKG to teach the good oral practice.

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Der Monday, 25 March 2024 07:42 AM

Majority of Sri Lankans are brainless anyway! Every 5-6 years they change their minds and vote for some scoundrel dreaming of ‘good governance’ , ‘protect the nation’ , now ‘ bring back robbed money and equality for all’ . The only person who can do something is called ‘unelected’ . Being toothless, the person can’t eat some types of food. But being brainless can ruin the entire nation!

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