KINGSTON, Jamaica — LASCO Affiliated Companies is providing support to the organisers of National Oral Health month, observed in October, to ensure healthy benefits to young Jamaicans.

According to a news release from the company, it has partnered with the Jamaica Dental Association to provide free dental check-ups and services to more than 400 students.

The first fair was reportedly held at the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica headquarters in Kingston on Thursday, October 20, which provided services to more than 100 students from Kingston and St Andrew.

Nicole Masters, brand manager at LASCO, lauded the organisations who are working together to highlight the significance of oral health.

“The LASCO family strongly promotes healthy living and through strong family values and as such we are pleased to see the unification of several bodies to empower young Jamaicans to develop good oral health habits,” she noted.

Masters also made the call for Jamaicans to take oral health seriously.

“Oral cancer is often referred to as a ‘silent killer’ because there is usually no other symptoms. While all other cancers are on the decline, the incidence of oral cancer is rapidly increasing. There are insufficient facilities available in Jamaica to treat these persons as well as affordability is also an issue. LASCO is aware and eager to assist in the fight against oral cancer in Jamaica. We are urging Jamaicans to support these endeavours and to help save lives,“ she said.

According to the news release, LASCO has reinforced its commitment this year to the fight for improved oral health by sponsoring oral health fairs in Kingston and St Andrew, Mandeville and St Ann, providing dental educational talks, oral health screenings and treatments for more than 400 children as well as lunches and other refreshments.

Dr Lissa Pinkney-Gayle, chairperson of Oral Health Month coordinated by the Jamaica Dental Health Association, had high praises for LASCO’S involvement in a programme she deems significant for the health of our nation. “LASCO is always one of our very good partners, they are always on board when it comes to Oral Health as we would say we want to do this and LASCO’S response is when? We have a very good partnership as LASCO also promotes healthy living and good oral habits and we are happy for that,” she explained.

Dr Pinkney-Gayle also outlined the focus of National Oral Health Month: “We have a focus each year, sometimes we visit homes for the elderly but this year we wanted the focus to be on going back to the basics with our children because we are looking at oral health matters. Floss like a boss is our tag line; we want to take it back to basics with the children so that they learn these habits and practice these habits.”