Ulaanbaatar, December 15, 2023 /MONTSAME/. The Unur Bul Child Center hosted the "Tooth Brushing Championship" contest on December 14, 2023, in which 108 children in 18 teams from four child care centers took part. The Competition is held to improve the oral health of secondary school students, by teaching them proper brushing techniques and the importance of brushing to establish good oral hygiene habits.

In his opening remarks Deputy Minister of Health of Mongolia Enkhbold Sereejav stated "The preventive and early-detection checkups, examination and diagnosis have been successfully conducted nationwide since May 2023 at the initiative of the Government of Mongolia and the Ministry of Health. 86.7 percent of citizens involved in early detection had dental caries. According to current results of those check-ups, among children aged up to 17, tooth decay is the most prevalent, accounting for 90 percent of the total illness among the children. In this regard, the Government mandated the Ministry of Health to launch the "Healthy Teeth" Action Plan under Decree No. 322 issued in August. Through the "Healthy Teeth" program children are taught about proper dental care and instilling good oral habits from an early age is paramount." The Deputy Minister noted that the Ministry of Health in cooperation with local administration and professional NGOs successfully organized the "Tooth Brushing Championship" in Umnogobi, Uvorkhangai, Tuv, and Orkhon aimags.

In total, 680 children, and about 160 teachers took part in the Championship in the abovementioned aimags, and about 250 judges and organizers were trained. Apart from participating in the Championship, the children and teachers gained knowledge, attitudes, and habits regarding oral health and dental care and were appointed as "health envoys" by the Ministry of Health. They have been contributing to teaching oral hygiene awareness to their peers, teachers, parents, brothers, and sisters and organizing dental health activities.

Director of the Unur Bul Child Center M. Ulziichimeg emphasized that the Championship was organized with support from the Ministry of Health, the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, and the Mongolian Dental Association.

"Our children have been preparing for the Championship for the last 14 days. As a result, they acquired many good habits, such as how to brush their teeth properly, what products to use, and setting an example for others. In 2018, our Center launched a dental cabinet, an important step to keep our children's teeth healthy," noted Director M. Ulziichimeg.