First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has underscored the importance of raising public awareness about dental health, stressing its vital role in overall well-being and the prevention of long-term health issues.

She made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Maldives’ first international dental conference. In her address, the First Lady paid tribute to the pioneers of dental care in the country, Mohamed Saleem, Ali Saleem, and Abdullah Saeed, for their invaluable contributions to establishing and advancing dental services in the Maldives.

Highlighting that dental care has been available in the country for over 50 years, the First Lady noted the significant progress made in the field. She pointed out that specialised services such as orthodontics and periodontic care are now widely accessible in both Government hospitals and private clinics, crediting international cooperation and the support of experts from friendly nations for these achievements.

The First Lady stressed the need to intensify efforts to educate the public on dental hygiene, calling for targeted awareness campaigns through schools, workplaces, and the media to foster better oral health across the country. She also drew attention to the link between oral health and mental well-being, noting the broader impact of dental care on a person’s quality of life.

Concluding her address, the First Lady called for greater collaboration to ensure dental services in the Maldives are not only of high quality but also affordable and accessible to all.