Smiling at a Brighter Tomorrow

There is no escaping data analytics in today’s digitally connected world; the amount of data Google collects on your activities, which is a lot, and what Google then does with it is a cause for concern for certain quarters, especially those who do not trust that Google would use the data it collects responsibly.

Take for instance my experience while searching for a dental clinic in Berne to register with. A quick search at Google Maps yielded not only the information I wanted but also loads of unwanted ads in all websites I subsequently visited, most of them peddling the latest models of electric toothbrush. I didn’t realize how much options there are on the market these days – ultrasonic cleaning, magnetic technology, pressure sensor, whitening technology, extended battery life, brushing timer, etc. – that buyers are spoilt for choice!

We have indeed come a long way from July 8, 1918 when inventor Patrick J. Fitzgerald of Torrington, Connecticut applied for a US patent for an “electrically-vibrated toothbrush” which he described as “a light portable device for brushing the teeth and massaging the gums, for use by dentists and people troubled with diseases of the gums.” The patent was issued on June 1, 1920, but it was clear from the application that this early device was not intended for mass consumption.

The person credited for inventing the first mass-produced electric toothbrush was Swiss inventor Dr. Philippe-Guy Woog, who created the Broxodent electric toothbrush in 1954. His invention, originally manufactured in Geneva’s Tavaro factory, was introduced in the US in 1960 by E. R. Squibb and Sons Pharmaceuticals. The device plugged into a standard wall outlet and ran on live voltage, something that would be considered dangerous by today’s standards.

It was General Electric, however, which hugely popularized the electric toothbrush by introducing in 1961 a cordless and rechargeable model. Using NiCad batteries, it was a rather bulky affair and tended to have a short lifespan as the battery suffered from the “memory effect”. The batteries were sealed inside the GE device, and the whole unit had to be discarded when the batteries failed. But the GE automatic toothbrush came with a charging stand that held the unit upright, a design that today’s models have continued to follow.

As ubiquitous as they are nowadays, an electric toothbrush remains beyond the reach of many Filipinos. In fact, even an ordinary manual toothbrush that differs very little from the 1780 design by William Addis can be a luxury for many who live below the poverty line. Many children of underprivileged families are not taught to regularly brush their teeth, much less brought to dental check-ups and treatments. The cost of an ordinary toothbrush and the cheapest toothpaste brand can significantly impact on a family’s overall budget that it is easy for those families to scratch them from their shopping lists.

According to the Department of Health, dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal diseases (gum diseases) are the two most common oral health diseases affecting Filipinos. An estimated 87.4 % Filipinos are suffering from dental caries while 48.3 % has gum disease. Also, 90% of the 110 million population of the Philippines never sees a dentist. As a result, the Philippines has the highest prevalence for dental decay (caries) among Asia-Pacific nations. While elsewhere around the globe, the index for diseased, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) is 1.2 – 1.5, the DMFT for the Philippines is 9.7 – 13.6.

Oral health is fundamental to overall health, well-being, and quality of life. A healthy mouth enables people to eat, speak and socialize without pain, discomfort, or embarrassment. Pain from untreated dental diseases can lead to eating, sleeping, speaking, and learning problems in children and adolescents, which affect a child’s social interactions, school achievement, general health, and quality of life. Rampant dental caries in children adversely affect the overall nutrition necessary for the growth of the body, specifically body weight and height.

In recognition of this concerning situation, the Rotary Club of Manila’s Community Service Committee is spearheading projects that would promote community oral health in some of the less-fortunate communities in Manila. Through these projects, RCM will identify the needs of children and young adults (3 to 19 years of age) in underserved communities and arrange access to dedicated care. This early, RCM has received pledges for ₱ 300,000, but the total funding commitment envisioned is ₱ 4 Million so as to sustainably provide care for these young individuals.

It is earnestly hoped that RCMers would come forward in support of these initiatives so that our beneficiaries will have good reason to smile at a brighter tomorrow. Let’s imagine a better future for these young persons, and let’s work together to bring it to fruition one smile at a time. Oral health means overall health!