Stressing the need to maintain good oral health for a person’s overall health, the Department of Health (DOH)-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) began conducting online oral health consultations and referral services through the “O-HI DOC” Project.
Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said that O-HI DOC is an online dental consultation to reach out and to provide health service to the community. It is also a way of scheduling dental visits in Rural Health Units (RHU) with the use of the telemedicine platform.
“This is in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in order for us to reach our clients and provide the necessary oral health services to the communities in the provinces, especially those in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and indigenous communities,” Janairo said.
The “O-HI-DOC” stands for Oral Health Initiative for Dental Online Consultation. Every RHU in the various municipalities will have an “O-HI DOC” unit that will be connected to the regional online referral system.
Oral health consultation
The DOH-Calabarzon Oral Health Unit will conduct the teledentistry DOH launches teledentistry project in Region IVA and provide oral health consultation to residents of the region, especially those living in far-flung communities.
According to Regional Oral Health Outcome Manager Dr. Edwina J. Go, all patients seeking consultation must register and follow the simple steps provided to avail of the service. “First, go to our Facebook page which is www.facebook.com/oralhealthcalabarzon and click on the “Book Now” button.”
The regional dentist on duty will then check the patient’s application as to what province he/she is from. The regional dentist will then contact the dentist at the provincial office who will refer the patient to the municipal dentist where he/she resides and will be the one to contact patient for the scheduled consultation.”
“If there are no dentists on duty, we will conduct the consultation at the regional level. Consultations will be done in real time through live video with the patient. In case the patient needs immediate special care or surgery the dentists on duty will refer the patient immediately to the nearest hospital,” she added.
Meaningful ways
As of September 17, 2020, a total of 43 patients have registered online, 17 were given referrals, two have inquired and 24 have yet to reply.
“There are meaningful ways to do things and serve with the people’s interest in mind. Even if we are consumed with the COVID-19 pandemic, we must never stop. We must not forget our health concerns and responsibilities to our people,” Janairo pointed out.
The “O-HI DOC” Teledentistry Project is a collaboration of the Regional Oral Health Team and Health Accessibility Innovation and Development Unit (HAIDU).