THE Philippine Dental Association (PDA) General Santos City chapter together with government dentists of Sarangani province signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Save the Children during the opening ceremony of the 14th National Dental Health Month (NDMH), February 9, 2018, in General Santos City.
PDA and Save the Children sealed their mutual understanding to further strengthen their existing partnership in promoting oral health awareness and delivering free dental services to remote schools in Sarangani.
In a speech delivered by the PDA chapter president Dr. Marlyn D. Alfafara during the event, she emphasized the importance of forming partnership with Save the Children for PDA to be able to “reach out to those who do not have access to oral health services”.
The MoU centers on a joint effort in support to the implementation of the Department of Education (DepEd) Order number 13, series of 2017, otherwise known as Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and DepEd Offices.
The policy prohibits the sale of “carbonated drinks, sugar-based synthetic or artificially flavored juices, junk food” and encourages canteen operators to sell “nutrient-rich” food such as “root crops, rice and corn products in native preparation, fruits and vegetables”, among others.
Through their partnership, Save the Children and its medical partners aim to promote good oral health practices among pupils from remote schools in Sarangani by providing free dental checkups and treatment, support to DepEd’s oral health program, and development of communication materials.
Save the Children and PDA General Santos City have been collaboratively working since 2015 by conducting community outreach programs in far-flung schools of Malungon, Alabel, and Maitum municipalities.