Make oral health part of preventive care

Tooth decay is one of the most common, yet most preventable, chronic diseases in the world. Today, seven out of 10 Malaysian five-year-olds already have cavities. Imagine what that means for their future, their learning, their nutrition, their confidence. They translate to life problems.

As a dentist, and as Chair of the National Oral Health Committee under the Australian Dental Association, I’ve seen how small steps upstream make a huge difference downstream. Prevention is not just about checking blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood glucose levels. It must include the mouth.