Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The Papua New Guinea prime minister is urging all MPs to work to stop people chewing betel nut and cut the consumption of sugary foods and drinks.
James Marape made his call during a visit to the Youth With A Mission dental programme in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The International Agency for Cancer Research classifies betel nut as a Group 1 carcinogen.
The Prime Minister said PNG holds the unfortunate distinction of the highest global incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer, a trend strongly linked to betel nut chewing.
Additionally he said tooth decay, exacerbated by the widespread consumption of sugary foods and beverages, is very high.
Marape wants the Department of Health to develop a comprehensive oral health policy.
He has called on all MPs to allocate the necessary funding for the establishment and enhancement of dental care facilities within their respective districts.
The Youth With A Mission school dental programme, in three schools in Port Moresby, has been conducting oral health screenings for children aged five, 12, and 15 under guidelines laid down by the World Health Organisation.
It found that in two of those schools more than 50 percent of those screened reported tooth pain.
A WHO report in 2019 showed a stark shortage of dentists in PNG New Guinea, with only 62 practising nationwide.
Additionally, PNG has just 35 dental therapists - that is professionals specialising in children's dental care.
Poor oral health is known to adversely impact on a child's nutrition, overall health, and development.
Betelnut-stained mouth, Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
