‘CHILD SMILE CAMPAIGN’ LAUNCHES IN DUBAI
Dubai, UAE - 10th November 2010 - Drs Nicolas & Asp, one of the leading dental practices in the UAE, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs today launched the ‘Child Smile Campaign’, through the Nicolas & Asp University College, as an example of a private public partnership initiative to encourage improved oral hygiene for children, particularly those with special needs. The event was held at the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs in the presence of the campaign’s Patron, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.
The launch, which was attended by HE Qadhi Al Murooshid, Director General, DHA and Mr. Hussein Saeed Al Sheikh, CEO for Social Care, Ministry of Social Affairs, was marked by a welcome address from Dr. Nicolas, Chairman of the Nicolas & Asp Group, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. After the inauguration of the campaign’s mobile dental clinic, Dr Nicolas led HRH Princess Haya on a tour to view the facilities it offers.
‘’The DHA is privileged to have had the opportunity to work so closely with Dr. Nicolas & Asp as well as the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs to launch such a unique initiative in the UAE,” said Al Murooshid. “We are particularly proud of the campaign and hope that as the mobile dental clinic travels across the Emirates, we create a platform to promote good and proper oral health to children of all ages.”
The ‘Child Smile Campaign’ was designed to understand and address the specific dental needs of all children in Dubai and the UAE, particularly those with special needs; additional locations are planned for screening and treatment over the coming months. Throughout its duration, data will be gathered to create a picture of childhood oral health. The objective is to raise awareness and encourage a year-on-year improvement in the community.
‘’The Child Smile Campaign has been launched as a direct response to the needs of children in the UAE. We feel that in order to raise awareness most effectively there needs to be a clear picture of the current situation. Only then can we understand what is required to effect change and improve oral health in future generations. We are incredibly honoured to receive the support of HRH Princess Haya in our efforts,” said Dr. Nicolas.
As part of the campaign, a fully equipped mobile dental clinic will screen and treat pupils on site at various locations across Dubai and the UAE. Dr Mark Roseman, Acting Director of Pediatric Dentistry at Nicolas & Asp University College, will lead the team of specially trained pediatric dentists. Dr Roseman has over thirty years’ international experience treating children with special needs in the field of pediatric dentistry.
According to Dr Roseman, ‘’the field of pediatric dentistry is a highly specialised one, and the level of care takes on an even greater significance for children with special needs. Special needs children require careful assessment and a tailored treatment approach throughout the process, to ensure oral health is not left to suffer. By launching the initiative at Al Noor we hope to benefit the special needs community directly and provide a model which can be adopted by other facilities.’’
Isphana Al-Khatib, Director at Al Noor believes the campaign will lead to change; ‘’Dental health is incredibly important for a child’s overall wellbeing and we are delighted to welcome the launch of ‘Child Smile Campaign’ at Al Noor. There is a very real need for children with special needs to receive appropriate dental care and education. We believe the activity marks a significant step in improving oral health for children in the community. The mobile dental clinic also makes this service consistently accessible to a large population.’’
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