Promoting oral health for children with diabetes

The Oral Health Promotion & Prevention Department at the Primary Health Care Corporation, in collaboration with the Qatar Diabetes Association, participated in the 25th edition of the Annual International Al Bawasil Camp.The one-day workshop was organised for children recently at Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence and gathered 13 children from different countries.Dr Najat al-Yafei, manager of the Oral Health Promotion & Prevention Department, said the department aims to promote and enhance the children’s competence and confidence in maintaining optimal oral and dental health, especially since they are living with diabetes.He said, "Our slogan for Al Bawasil Camp was ‘Nujoom Asnani’, which means ‘My Star Teeth’ in Arabic, reflects our vision to inspire children to shine in their oral health practices and build a strong foundation for a healthier future.”Al-Yafei explained that a specific plan was developed for the dental team, including lectures tailored to the children’s age groups and health conditions. Children were also trained in proper tooth-brushing techniques using dental models and were provided with practical advice on identifying diabetes-related oral health problems and effective ways to manage them.Additionally, al-Yafei noted that oral examinations were conducted for 58 children with diabetes, aged between seven and 11 years. The findings revealed that their oral health was fair, with some requiring dental treatment and improved daily oral care. The children were guided and informed about these needs during the workshop.