>> ORAL HEALTH FORUM

 About 69% of India is rural who doesn´t have easy access to oral care and the challenge is real. Till date oral health is given low priority. There are lot of misconceptions, wrong beliefs and negligence towards oral health. With increasing burden of oral diseases and lack of preventive measures for country like India it becomes imperative to adopt preventive and promotive strategies.

With increasing incidence of oral diseases and lack of preventive measures, for the vast country like India it becomes imperative to adopt self care home based preventive practices which are practical and economical to suit masses.

To improve oral health scenario of nation, it is crucial to bring affordable, accessible and sustainable low cost oral health care methods into mainstream through community participation. This will tap the yet undiscovered potential of dentistry

• Our country is facing a challenge. Population explosion and high incidence of oral diseases is worsening the situation. We must initiate nationwide oral health awareness campaign to enlighten masses. Strong steps should be taken to promote oral health through mass media, advertisements, promotional messages and daily utility bills.
• To build and develop nationwide outreach community based programmes. All Panchayati Raj Institutions, Anganwadi workers, multipurpose health workers, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)- a newer group under National Rural Health Mission and school teachers should effectively be used to disseminate oral health messages.
• Basic packages for oral care to be developed nationwide based on felt needs and utilization of services.
• It becomes imperative on part of all community dentists to conduct KAP surveys to know existing scenario and peoples perceptions towards oral health. It is important to know extent, magnitude and severity of dental disorders in communities so that integrated services can be provided.
• The professionals need to be strengthened and made to participate actively in community based dental health programmes like oral health campaigns, melas, contests and marathons to promote oral health.
• Indigenous low cost preventive methods and technology to be encouraged and oral health to be given priority in nations budget.
• The professional bodies should conduct nationwide CDE programmes and re-orientation courses to improve knowledge and skills among professionals and para- professionals.
• Institutions should develop field practice area for teaching, training and research endeavours. Community based approaches rather than clinical approaches should follow the education curriculum.
• Govt. should provide free adequate learning resource material like literatures, manuals, booklets, posters and leaflets for I.E.C. activity.
• Promotion of healthy life styles (Smoke less societies, oral hygiene and sound dietary practices) through mass media.
• Surveillance of risk factors for common oral diseases through IDSP under NRHM be pursued as part of national oral health policy.

Let us all contribute towards positive oral health to make India healthier, happier and prosperous nation

Dr. Pankaj Sehgal
Professor
Public Health Dentistry
drpee13@gmail.com