By Analou De Vera The Department of Health (DOH)- Calabarzon recently conducted a two-day refresher course for public health dentists from Quezon Province to further improve their skills and be able to provide effective oral health care to the community. Department of Health (MANILA BULLETIN) The refresher course provided training on the proper application of fluoride varnish, pits and fissure sealants, and glass ionomer cement. Fifty-two public health dentists participated in the event. The participants were also taught on how to properly fill-out revised oral health forms by providing the necessary information including patient’s oral health status, services, and medical history report, the DOH-Calabarzon said. “As public health specialists we must continue to improve our profession in order to protect and advance the welfare and interests of the people, especially those in the community,” said Regional Director Eduardo Janairo. “We must give our people the right oral care products and the highest standard of treatment for them to really feel that public health service is the best health care service in the country,” he added. Janairo also assured that the regional office will provide the necessary equipment needed by the public health dentists in Calabarzon. "Slowly but surely we will provide the needed logistics to our public dentists for them to properly provide appropriate preventive care and treatment to the community and also to address other issues and concerns such as the lack of equipment including dental chairs to cater to far flung barangays and also augment the lack of dentists in other rural areas of the region,” he said. Meanwhile, parents were also advised that good oral health starts at home. “Tooth decay or dental caries can be prevented and as parents we must promote oral health care to our children while they are young. We must instill the importance of brushing and flossing daily after every meal,” said Dr. Edwina Go, regional oral health program manager.