KUALA LUMPUR, 6 February – A total of 500 Orang Asli residents in Raub, Pahang, participated in a dental health education and cancer screening initiative aimed at raising awareness about oral health and oral cancer.

The community service programme was organized by 42 volunteers from the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Malaya, University of Malaya Medical Centre, PPB Group Berhad, ELITE Community Organisation, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), and the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA).

In a statement, Universiti Malaya (UM) highlighted that the programme’s primary goal was to offer comprehensive dental health services to the Orang Asli community in Raub. This included oral health education, oral scaling, topical fluoride treatments, simple dental fillings if needed, and raising awareness about the early detection of oral cancer.

"Among the activities for school students was a toothbrushing demonstration led by postgraduate students from UM’s Faculty of Dentistry," the statement said.

Additionally, toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste were distributed to all participating students as an encouragement for their involvement. A quiz on oral health was also conducted for the students.

The programme not only benefited the Orang Asli community in Semai but also provided invaluable experience for the dental team from UM.

“The joy on the villagers’ faces was evident, and we hope this programme will help raise awareness within the Orang Asli community about the importance of maintaining their dental health,” the statement concluded.