Oral and lip cancer in Fiji is estimated at 2.9 percent

The prevalence of lip and oral cancer in Fiji is estimated at 2.9 percent, with men more affected than women.

This was highlighted by Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, Penioni Ravunawa during the World Health Organization Regional Committee Meeting.

Ravunawa also revealed that in Fiji, the prevalence of untreated tooth decay in baby teeth among children aged 1 to 9 years is 46.7 percent.

He says Fiji has endorsed the draft Western Pacific Regional Implementation Plan for the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health.

Ravunawa adds oral diseases continue to silently impact people’s health, affecting more than 40 percent of the regional population through dental caries, gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth loss, which also undermines Fiji’s Bula Smile initiative.

The Assistant Minister urged the World Health Organization and its partners to support efforts by Member States to improve oral health.

Ravunawa says Fiji is committed to undertaking its National Oral Health Survey to better define the country’s oral health status, which will also guide future strategic interventions.

He also highlighted that the Ministry continues to engage School Oral Health Teams that regularly visit schools to teach children proper and consistent oral health care.

Ravunawa adds there are currently 23 active School Oral Health Teams nationwide, which reached 158,222 children in 2024 and conducted 680 toothbrushing drills.