Public Oral Health Forum

Unlocking agency in the preservation & promotion of oral & general health, while advocating for the community's right to equitable & dignified oral healthcare.

[Health-e News @HealtheNews]

[WATCH] Six-year-old Unathi has 16 cavities and has never seen a dentist.

Dr Bulela Vava, @SmilekeeperSA a dentist and founder of @POHF_SA, says oral health education at health facilities is lacking, and many clinics don’t complete the oral health examination section of children’s “Road to Health" booklet.

Some children are living with pain, struggling to eat and dealing with the impact on their confidence.

Read more here: https://t.co/950dAzlE8J via Sandile Mbili. #healthnews

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

@HealtheNews @SmilekeeperSA @gagasifm @ukhozi_fm @SAfmRadio @Radio702 @UWFM88_106FM @SABCNews

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

@HealtheNews @SmilekeeperSA Nearly half of children younger than 6 suffering from oral disease! @HealthZA its time something is done about this crisis.

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

#OralHealthIsChildProtection #ProtectEveryChild #ChildHealth #POHF #HealthEquity #SouthAfrica

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

💙 CHILD PROTECTION WEEK 2026
Every child has the right to safety, health and a healthy smile.
Protecting children means more than preventing violence. It means protecting them from preventable pain, disease, neglect, harmful diets high in sugar, tobacco exposure and unsafe

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

environments.
This #ChildProtectionWeek, the Public Oral Health Forum calls for stronger action to protect children's oral health as an essential part of child wellbeing, dignity and development.
Protect Their Smile. Protect Their Childhood. Protect Their Future.

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

🔒 CHILD PROTECTION WEEK 2026

Protecting children means more than protecting them from violence. It means protecting them from preventable pain, disease, neglect and harmful environments.
This Child Protection Week, we call for stronger action to protect children from oral

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

diseases and their shared risk factors, including excessive sugar consumption, tobacco exposure, violence and neglect.

Oral Health is Child Protection.
#ChildProtectionWeek2026 #OralHealth #ProtectEveryChild #POHF #HealthEquity

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

#WorldNoTobaccoDay2026 #OralHealth #HealthEquity #NCDs #ProtectOurYouth #TobaccoControl

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

🚭 Today is #WorldNoTobaccoDay.
The Public Oral Health Forum calls for urgent action to protect South Africa’s youth from the growing tobacco and nicotine epidemic. Tobacco use is driving preventable disease, periodontal disease, premature tooth loss and lifelong health

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

consequences.
We also call on @ParliamentofRSA to urgently pass the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill & strengthen action against the illicit tobacco trade.
Protecting young people from tobacco is an investment in health, dignity and our future.

[Bulela Vava @SmilekeeperSA]

No one deserves to be left behind. The oral healthcare system must be proactive, inclusive and responsive! That is what we do at the @POHF_SA
#OralCancerAwarenessMonth #PHC #EndNCds #Oralhealth #OralHealthMatters

[Health Tax Alliance @HTANews25]

South Africa’s health needs bold action. The tobacco industry fights tax reforms with myths & loopholes to protect profits over people. With proper administration, life-saving tobacco tax policies can work and save lives.

@heala_SA @Saapa7 @POHF_SA @RHAPnews @TBAC_sa @TaxJusticeAfric @UCTHealthSci @TobaccoFreeKids @HealthZA @Tobaccoecon @SpotlightNSP @HealtheNews @SECTION27news @MRCza @ProtectOurNext @budgetjusticesa

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

screening to the community of Phoenix in @eThekwiniM
Prevention + early detection save lives.
#OralCancer #POHF #PublicHealth #Oralcancerawerenessmonth

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

CAMPAIGN | ORAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Oral cancer is a growing public health challenge in South Africa, with many cases detected late.

On 18 April, POHF + partners @UKZN School of Oral Health Science, Woodview Cancer Support Group & @CANSA brought education, self-screening &

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

Support our efforts by donating to our campaign.

Donate: https://t.co/qyIKtUiO55

[Health Tax Alliance @HTANews25]

The burden of preventable disease continues to grow, disproportionately affecting those in under-resourced and rural communities. A reactive system is no longer enough, we need one that actively reduces risk, strengthens primary care, and prioritises long-term public health outcomes.

#Health taxes are not just fiscal tools, they are evidence-based interventions that can reduce harmful consumption while generating revenue to reinvest in the health system.

At the same time, strengthening district health services ensures that care is accessible, continuous, and responsive to the realities on the ground.

Read more: https://t.co/2BCWe2Fw5M

@heala_SA @Saapa7 @POHF_SA @RHAPnews @TaxJusticeAfric @UCTHealthSci @TobaccoFreeKids @HealthZA @Tobaccoecon @HealtheNews @SECTION27news @MRCza @ProtectOurNext @budgetjusticesa

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

April is #OralCancerAwarenessMonth.
Oral cancer remains an under-recognised but serious public health threat in South Africa, with nearly 2,000 new cases annually & strong links to tobacco, alcohol, and HPV.
Late detection costs lives. Awareness saves them.
#OralHealth #NCDs

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

Last year for our #OralCancerAwarenessMonth campaign. We collaborated with @CANSA and @Colgate to bring oral cancer screenings and education to the community of #Lichtenburg.

Check out our video from the event below:
https://t.co/wL4vmFJHqt

[Public Oral Health Forum @POHF_SA]

Help us raise much needed funds to make this upcoming event a success. Last year, we were in the Northwest Province. This year we in KwaZulu-Natal, raising awareness about #oralcancer & its associated risk factors.

Donate and help us make a difference:

https://t.co/Oe7zO99JVt