Tooth cavities is the least of our dental problems faced in the country.
What oral health officials are now realizing is the rise in dental caries and mouth cancer.
Dental caries is the leading dental problem in Fiji and surprisingly, its not our younger generation that is concerned.
“3/4 of our adult population between the ages 35-44. suffer from this condition,” said the executive of the Fiji Oral Health Workers Association, Penioni Ravunawa.
Cancer of the mouth is also on the rise with almost 20 cases diagnosed yearly.
“A lot of this is due to unfortunately continued cigarette smoking in combination with alcohol. That’s a very bad combination for producing change in the mouth which leads to cancer,” said oral surgeon, Dr. Brian Whitley.
Personal violence surprisingly a problem faced in the dentistry industry as well.
“We are seeing an increase in numbers of particular young people. Young men often under the influence of alcohol or kava who are assaulting one another and we are seeing a lot of facial fractures, broken lower and upper jaws to cheek bones and eye sockets,” revealed Dr. Whitley.
Yearly, 150 broken lower jaws and 50 to 100 broken cheek bone cases are attended to yearly.
Stakeholders at the conference stating a prevention is better than cure attitude is needed to nip the problem at the bud.
“More awareness and to educate our members on ideas of how we can tackle these problems,” Ravunawa added.