One-third of first graders have oral health problems, finds Ministry of Education
26 Nov 2014, 4:19 PM
Ismail Humaam Hamid
The Ministry of Education has released findings of a health screening programme, revealing that 35.2 percent of first graders have oral health problems.
The screening of 6,331 Grade 1 students, aged between 6 and 7, concluded that 1,650 students have had extensive oral and dental problems, such as tooth infections.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of Defence and acting health minister Mohamed Nazim said that, though there were no serious and alarming issues with the screenings, the majority of current problems are caused by malnutrition.
“Increasing number of underweight children indicate the presence of malnutrition,” said Nazim. “We have to determine whether the problem is hereditary or due to our behavior. We have to try and find an immediate solution to the issue.”
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