MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) Friday renewed its call to promote oral health among school- children to reduce absenteeism and improve school performance.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that “oral problems are preventable and can be managed through programs that are made part of the students’ daily activities.”

Recent studies revealed that 97 percent of public schoolchildren have dental caries which affect their school attendance and academic performance.

“Our main focus is prevention rather than treatment that is why it is important to make students understand the direct link of oral health to the general well-being,” Luistro said.

The DepEd currently celebrates that whole month of February as the “8th National Dental Health Month.”

February is celebrated as the Dental Health Month, not only in the Philippines, but worldwide as well. This annual observance started in 1951 as the National Dental Health Week. In February 24, 2004, it was expanded into a month-long celebration, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 559.