DIMAPUR —Department of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima division, under the aegis of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), conducted a training for Anganwadi workers on oral health and ill effects of tobacco at DPOs conference hall of Social Welfare department on Tuesday.
An update from the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), Kohima, stated that the resource person of the first session, Dr. Neiphrezo Sorunuo, dental surgeon at NHAK, spoke on “Common oral diseases and importance of oral health and hygiene.” Underlining the importance of oral health, Dr. Sorunuo cautioned that failure to seek early treatment on dental problem could lead to oral cancer.
He also spoke on how one should adapt good oral hygiene.
The second session on “Adverse effects of tobacco” was taken up by NTCP district nodal officer, Dr. I Simon Sumi, wherein he informed that youngsters start consuming either smoke or smokeless tobacco products as early as 15 to 24 years of age. He also apprised how tobacco uses cause premature mortality in the world and that “tobacco is the only legally available substance which kills when it is used as intended.”
The nodal officer also stated that one-third of the people are exposed to “second-hand smoke” and about 6 lakh people die yearly prematurely as a result of exposure to smoking. He also cited on the importance of tobacco control by preventing on several evidence-based strategies which can reduce tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.
He further stressed on strategies for preventing tobacco use in young people namely by eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke and advancing to healthy equity by identifying tobacco related disparities.
Training session concluded with demonstration of proper teeth brushing technique, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Pelebeinuo Khezhie, psychologist (NTCP).
All the participants were given toothbrush and toothpaste to encourage healthy oral hygiene.
