The Aloha dental mission has returned to Bago City in Negros Occidental to provide free tooth extractions and dental fillings to residents.
Now in its fourth year, the outreach kicked off Feb. 23 at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center, in observance of the National Oral Health Month.
The team from Hawaii, composed of 30 staff members, is joined by dentists and teams from the Philippine Dental Association-Bacolod City Chapter, Philippine Dental Association-Negros Occidental, and other local government units.
The mission, that will run through Feb. 27, is a collaborative effort between the Aloha medical mission team, the city government of Bago, through its Primary Care Facility (PCF), and the Provincial Health Office.
Dr. Jesilou Demonteverde of the Bago City PCF Dental Services, said in a city press release that on the first day, the team served about 280 patients for tooth extractions and 25 for fillings.
She said that the mission is part of an ongoing advocacy to promote oral health awareness that goes beyond basic daily brushing.
Demonteverde noted that services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and she urged Bagonhons to take advantage of these free services.
Daycare children, meanwhile, received fluoride treatments during the opening program attended by councilors Robert Javellana and Dr. Leonilo Del Carmen, and city health officer Dr. Ferdinand Ramon Mayoga, among others.
Aloha dental mission representative Dollcy Gebauer expressed her gratitude for the city’s warm hospitality. ||
