Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - November 11, 2007
Irene Nabusoba
Dr Francis Lacor, the association's president, said tooth decay, gum diseases, swelling of the jaws (tumours), HIV/AIDS oral manifestations and trauma form the bulk of their admissions.
"Most of these are a result of the increasing cases of accidents, cancers and HIV/AIDS. We receive these cases everyday. Others are a result of deformations and malformations from birth like cleft lip," Lacor, a specialist oral surgeon at Mulago Hospital said. He regrets that patients treat oral health lightly, only presenting when the conditions have advanced.
"Many people think dentistry is about removing teeth. They come to us when they can no longer chew food.
People should visit a dentist every six months. Vulnerable patients like children on ARVs with sugar-based formulas should always follow the doctor's recommendation," he said.
Oral health, Lacor, said, has been worsened by scarcity of dentists in the country, with most of them concentrated in the city.
There are reportedly about 150 active dentists in the country, with a ratio of one dentist: 100,000 patients, which makes oral services very expensive.
"The Government should ensure that everyone accesses dental health care without impediments.
We also need to conduct awareness campaigns to tell people that once you have dental problems, do not go to witch doctors and neither should you wait until its too late," Lacor said.
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