The Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department of Preventative Health Directorate of Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in Doha, Qatar has launched a new initiative called the ‘Senan’ Nursery Oral Health Promotion Program. The goal of this program is to improve the oral health of kindergarten children in nurseries across Qatar. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the programme aims to reach all public and private nurseries in the country and target children under the age of 4. This program comes as a response to the high prevalence of tooth decay among kindergarten students, with screening results showing that 61% of children had tooth decay.
The ‘Senan’ Nursery Oral Health Programme is designed to instill early oral hygiene habits and preventive dental care among young children. Led by Dr. Najat AlYafei, the Promotion and Prevention Oral Health Department Manager, the program focuses on promoting dental hygiene habits and healthy dietary habits to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. It also aims to educate parents, caregivers, nursery staff, and nurses about the importance of oral health and equip them with the necessary knowledge and tools to support children’s oral hygiene routines.
The program will also address common harmful oral habits that children often acquire, such as biting nails, chewing ice, sucking thumb or fingers, or using pacifiers, all of which can have temporary or permanent effects on oral health. In addition, the ‘Senan’ programme for nursery children will host an annual open house activity to promote the importance of oral health for both sectors. By targeting young children in nurseries, the program hopes to improve the overall oral health and quality of life of children in Qatar from an early age.
The ‘Senan’ Nursery Oral Health Programme officially commenced with a workshop held at the Ministry of Education’s theater hall, attended by 120 nursery nurses and their representatives. Dr. Hamad Al Mudahka, the Executive Director of Preventive Health Directorate at the PHCC, emphasized that the program will not only benefit children but also target parents, caregivers, staff, and nurses at nurseries. By providing them with essential knowledge and tools, the program aims to support children’s oral hygiene routines and prevent oral health issues in the future.
One of the main goals of the ‘Senan’ Nursery Oral Health Programme is to overcome the high prevalence of tooth decay among kindergarten students by improving the oral health of young children in nurseries even before they enter kindergarten. By promoting dental hygiene habits, healthy dietary habits, and educating parents and caregivers, the program hopes to reduce the incidence of tooth decay and gum diseases in young children. Through initiatives like annual open house activities, the program also aims to raise awareness about the importance of oral health for both nurseries and parents.
In conclusion, the ‘Senan’ Nursery Oral Health Programme in Doha, Qatar is a comprehensive initiative that aims to improve the oral health of young children in nurseries across the country. By targeting children under the age of 4, the program hopes to instill early oral hygiene habits and preventive dental care among young children to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. With the support of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the program is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the oral health and quality of life of children in Qatar. Through education, awareness, and practical tools, the ‘Senan’ programme aims to create a healthier oral environment for young children in nurseries, laying the foundation for good oral health practices for years to come.
