The dentistry field in Taiwan has an “8020” goal of helping most people retain at least 20 natural teeth at the age of 80 and beyond, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday, as he met with members of the Taiwan Dental Association (TWDA).
A delegation of TWDA members who traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, in May to voice support for Taiwan’s participation in the annual World Health Assembly (WHA), the decisionmaking body of the WHO, visited Lai at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday.
Lai said he was glad to meet the delegation and convey his gratitude on behalf of the nation, as Taiwan’s participation not only concerns Taiwanese people’s right to health, but also affects global disease prevention.
Photo: CNA
“We clearly know that if our health ministry had not been on high alert, the COVID-19 pandemic would have caused more harm to Taiwan, and even to the world,” he said. “This is an important reason why we want to join the WHO.”
The dentistry field’s contribution to people’s health is not limited to speaking up for Taiwan during the WHA, but also their daily efforts to take care of people’s oral health, he said.
“Dentists have not let the people’s expectations or the government’s support down, as throughout the years, they have promoted oral health to students on campuses and families in households, and even voluntarily provided many oral health services in remote areas,” Lai said.
Moreover, under the TWDA’s efforts and the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s support, people can receive regular government-funded dental checkups and cleanings, he said.
“It is very important for people to get a checkup and cleaning every six months for early detection and treatment of potential problems,” he said.
The National Health Insurance System provides free dental checkups and cleanings every six months for people older than 12, while pregnant women, people with xerostomia, diabetes or cancer, had a stroke or are on dialysis can get it every three months, the Presidential Office said.
During his presidential election campaign, Lai pledged to work with healthcare professionals to create a healthy Taiwan, and it includes a clear goal held by the nation’s dentistry field — the “8020 campaign” that the WHO also promotes.
“The ‘8020’ goal is for people to retain at least 20 natural teeth at the age of 80 or beyond,” he said.
As Taiwan’s democracy and freedom have been recognized by international society, and the nation’s economy and industries are constantly advancing, the improvement of the people’s health is crucially important, Lai said.
He said he was looking forward to all healthcare professionals, including dentists, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and others to work together and do their part in creating a “healthy Taiwan.”
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