The Federal Government has declared three days of nationwide free dental screening to tackle tooth problems and boost demand for oral health care.

Adebimpe Adebiyi, head of dentistry division at the Federal Health Ministry, said health facilities around the country will be required to screen for tooth problems between Wednesday and Friday this week in hopes of catching periodontal problems that afflict countless Nigerians.

She lamented that oral health care has long been "neglected as part of comprehensive health care."The message we are giving is that your teeth are supposed to last a lifetime," Adebiyi noted.

Meanwhile, Senate President David Mark has been picked as Nigeria's champion of oral health, joining the likes of US First Lady Michelle Obama to lend their influence and encourage government commitment towards improved oral education.