[Photo: Lusiana Divokitira]

More than 1,000 people received free oral health screenings on the first day of a two-day dental outreach in Nausori, highlighting strong demand for accessible dental care.

The outreach, held in Nausori, offered free dental and rheumatic heart disease screenings while providing residents with practical advice on preventing oral health problems.

The high turnout also allowed dental professionals to identify common concerns, including tooth decay, enamel erosion and periodontal disease.

Colgate-Palmolive Fiji General Manager Alex Graudins says the initiative is focused on bringing oral health checks closer to families and encouraging early screening.

“Today we’ve got free dental health checks, which we’re really excited to bring to the community to help the young individuals, the families, the kids, just making sure that oral hygiene is a priority.”

Graudins says oral health should not be overlooked, as it contributes to overall health and wellbeing.

“I think it’s really important, oral health care, not only just for the mouth and the teeth, but for overall health. So use a fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, and check regularly for any potential decay or preventative measures for future issues.”

Dentist Mareta Nainoca says tooth decay and periodontal disease remain common concerns, with sugar consumption and smoking among the contributing factors.

“In the clinic, we see a lot of dental caries and that’s usually from a lot of sugar consumption. And also periodontal disease, which sort of links back to smoking. If you smoke too much, you end up with periodontal disease.”

The outreach has reinforced the importance of prevention and regular dental care.

People are advised to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, avoid rinsing immediately after brushing, reduce sugar consumption and avoid smoking.

The public is also encouraged to have regular dental check-ups rather than waiting until pain or other symptoms develop.