More than 50 teachers from various public schools in the 5th District of Negros Occidental showcased their new “smiles” after being fitted with dentures by members of the Philippine Dental Association-Negros Occidental Chapter in a ceremony held in Isabela town on Sunday, Feb. 9.
The event coincided with National Dental Health Month.
These teachers are the first batch of beneficiaries of Project Smile, an initiative of the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central in partnership with PDA-NOC, led by President Dr. Analie Gonzaga and Rep. Dino Yulo.
Hazan Gabita of Camandag Elementary School in La Castellana expressed gratitude for the project. He was the first beneficiary to be fitted with his new dentures.
“This gives me more confidence, aside from being relieved of the cost of new dentures,” Gabita said, adding that dental health is usually not given priority. He promised to advocate for oral health, especially among his students.
Himamaylan District Supervisor Aida Alvarez, representing the beneficiaries, said that regaining their smiles was one of the greatest gifts they had received from Rotary, the dentists, and Rep. Yulo.
The Rotary Club of Bacolod Central launched Project Smile in 2017, benefiting 20 teachers from Handumanan National High School and Elementary School in Bacolod City.
In September last year, the club entered into a partnership agreement with PDA-NOC and Rep. Yulo to extend the project to his district. ||
