In a united effort to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene, the Young Oral Health Mashinani Community-Based Organization (YOHM CBO) partnered with local health advocates, volunteers, and community members to mark this year's World Oral Health Day in west Pokot County.
This year's theme, "Be Proud of Your Mouth," resonated strongly with the community-based organization's mission to advocate for better health and hygiene practices, especially in rural and underrepresented areas. The initiative featured a series of free dental checkups, oral health education sessions, and distribution of oral care supplies, ensuring everyone had the equipment they needed to improve their dental hygiene.
Speaking at Karas Comprehensive School during World Oral Health Day celebrations, the founder of the Young Oral Health Mashinani Community-Based Organization (YOHM CBO), Christine Semekal, underscored the importance of empowering school-going children with both knowledge and practical resources to promote long-term oral health.
Semekal shared that the organization's outreach efforts are designed not only to teach children about the significance of oral hygiene but also to provide them with the necessary tools to implement what they have learned. "We believe that knowledge is power, but it's equally important to equip our students with the resources they need to put that knowledge into action, that is why, in addition to our educational programs, we ensure every student receives a dental care kit so they can start practicing healthy oral habits immediately," she said.
