More than 50 teachers from the different public schools in the 5th District of Negros Occidental flashed their new “smiles” after they were fitted with dentures by the members of the Philippine Dental Association-Neg. Occ. Chapter in a ceremony held in Isabela town Sunday, Feb 9.
The event coincided with the National Dental Health Month.
The teachers are the first batch of the beneficiaries of Project Smile, an initiative of the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central in partnership with PDA-NOC, through president Dr. Analie Gonzaga and Rep Emilio “Dino” Yulo (Neg. Occ., 5th District), a press release said.
Hazan Gabita of Camandag Elementary School in La Castellana town could not contain his excitement, saying he is grateful to have benefited from the project. He was the first beneficiary to have been fitted with his new dentures.
“This gives me more confidence, aside from being relieved from the cost coming out of our own pockets,” Gabita said, adding that dental health is usually not given priority and because of the project, he promised to advocate for oral health especially among his students.
Himamaylan District Supervisor Aida Alvarez, in her testimony representing the beneficiaries, said having regained their smiles was one of the greatest gifts they have received from Rotary, the dentists and Yulo.
Rotary Club of Bacolod Central launched Project Smile in 2017 with 20 teacher-beneficiaries from Handumanan National High School and Elementary School in Bacolod City. In September last year, the club entered into a partnership agreement with PDA-NOC and Rep. Yulo to bring the project to his district.*