A TOTAL of 704 households across 15 districts in Sabah have been selected for the Malaysian Health Ministry’s (MOH) nationwide National Oral Health Survey for Adults 2020 (Nohsa 2020).
Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the four-month survey aims to obtain data on the dental health status of Malaysians aged 15 and above and its impacts on the quality of living.
In Sabah, the survey will take place in Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Papar, Penampang, Putatan, Beaufort, Keningau, Tenom, Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Kudat, Kota Marudu and Kota Belud.
This is the fourth Nohsa survey which is done every 10 years nationwide. It is a collaboration between the MOH’s Dental Health Programme and the Public Health Institute.
The survey began in June and is scheduled to end in September. It was initially supposed to be conducted in 2020, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shahelmey said 289 homes were visited so far in June and July.
He encouraged respondents of the remaining households to give their cooperation as the Nohsa 2020 team faced challenges in getting targeted respondents to take the survey.
“We hope the homes that will be visited by the Nohsa 2020 team will give their best cooperation, so the team can obtain details for the purpose of improvement and for the MOH’s dental policies.
“We do ask respondents to be careful and make sure the visiting Nohsa 2020 team are legitimate MOH officers who are wearing uniforms and using the official Sabah State Health Department (JKNS) vehicle,” he told a press conference at his office in Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu, on Aug 17.
Shahelmey, who is also State Health Exco, said the team of dental health officers is led by a dentist who will bring along an identification letter. The respondents may verify the dentist’s name on http://dpims.gov.my.
He explained that the survey would involve interviews by the team and a free dental check-up by the dentist. Respondents would not be given treatment, but would be referred to the nearest dental clinic, if needed.
One respondent will represent some 4,000 residents in Sabah. All information provided during the interview session and dental examination will remain confidential.
Based on Nohsa 2010 findings, 94.9 per cent of adults in Sabah have dental cavities while 96.9 per cent have gum diseases.
“Hence, information from the Nohsa 2020 study will be taken into account in plans to improve dental health services in the future and thereafter maintain the good dental health of Sabahans,” Shahelmey added.
For further inquiry and information, the public can contact Nohsa 2020 Sabah Coordinators Dr Rathmawati Ahmad or Dr Adelina Akan at 088-249172.
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