TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - -The Department of Education - Schools Division Office of this city (DepEd SDO Tuguegarao) conducted fluoridization to K-3 learners in 28 public elementary schools in the city.

Dr. Grace Tamayao, dentist I of Cagayan National High School (CNHS), said fluoridization is part of the School Dental Health Care Program under the Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd (OK sa DepEd) wherein a thin topical fluoride varnish is applied to tooth surfaces of learners as a preventive treatment to caries.

"OK sa DepEd" is the convergence of DepEd’s school health and nutrition programs which highlights six flagship programs including the School-Based Feeding Program; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; Adolescent Reproductive Health; National Drug Education Program; and the School Mental Health Program.

"The first round of the program this year was conducted in February in line with the celebration of the National Dental Health Month and the second round will be conducted this June," she added.

Tamayao said that the priority recipients of the second round of fluoride application are those who received the first fluoride varnish last February-March 2022 but still, they accommodate those who wish to receive fluoridization.

"Moreover, the teams took the opportunity to educate the kids on dental and oral health as the formation of caries is rampant in this age group because they are still careless and have no exposure to dentist," Tamayao added.

Tamayao stressed that the activity still requires a signed parent’s consent, and they do not allow learners with cough, cold and fever to receive because of the pandemic situation as they observe the minimum required health standard while rendering the service.