Results show that eight in 10 Singaporeans brush their teeth at least twice a day, and 70 per cent visit the dentist at least once a year. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
SINGAPOREANS are taking care of their pearly whites, going by a dipstick survey on 400 people.
Results show that eight in 10 Singaporeans brush their teeth at least twice a day, and 70 per cent visit the dentist at least once a year.
The survey, done by The Nielsen Company, was commissioned by oral care company Colgate-Palmolive and presented on Wednesday at the launch of Singapore's Oral Health Month.
During this month, the public can look forward to free dental checkups at 300 dental clinics across the island, and at major supermarkets during the weekends. Dentists volunteering for these checkups are from the Singapore Dental Association. They are supporting this event together with the Health Ministry (MOH), the Health Promotion Board and the Singapore Dental Health Foundation.
This year's campaign focuses on educating the public on how neglecting oral health can impact overall health. For example, gum disease has been shown in research studies to be linked to diabetes, heart disease and stroke, said Dr Philip Goh, president of the Singapore Dental Association.
MOH chief dental officer Patrick Tseng added that the ministry will be conducting a nationwide dental health survey next year to collect data on dental habits and diseases among the local population.
