AFP wages war vs tooth decay

Acting chief of the AFP Dental Service, Colonel Valeriano G. Tiama (right) presents the Lt. Gen. Virgilio Domingo, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff, the dental mobile van of the AFP that would soon be completed./ AFP Public Affairs

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines is waging war against many things, and one of them is tooth decay.

In a statement, the AFP said it is expanding oral health awareness among its troops and for the military to focus more on its mandate.

The 7th AFP Dental Service Health Fair was held on Wednesday at the General Headquarters canopy area.

“Imagine if we achieved zero tooth decay among our troops, we can save resources and focus more on the real mandate of the armed forces,” said Colonel Valeriano Tiama, chief of AFP Dental Service.

Lectures and information drives will be conducted in AFP dental installations across the country.

“It cannot be denied that tooth decay is still among the prevalent diseases of Filipinos, more so, among our soldiers. According to the Department of Health, 92.4 percent of Filipinos have tooth decay. Thus, it is imperative that we should strengthen our program in the prevention rather than the cure of the disease,” said Lieutenant General Virgilio Domingo, the AFP deputy chief of staff, in his speech.

The activity was attended by civilian and military dentists, students and soldiers in line with the celebration of the National Dental Health Month.

A dental booth, trade exhibits and product demonstrations were held. A dental mobile van that would soon be unveiled was also showcased.

The AFP Dental Service has 214 military dentists.

RELATED STORIES

AFP, top hospital OK partnership

Aquino assures war veterans of better health services; vows AFP modernization