Dear Friends,

Oral health is an integral part of general health. It allows proper mastication, speech and esthetics. Poor oral health not only affects these functions but can also have psychological impact and affect the quality of life of persons, community and the nation. Oral health is closely linked to several systemic health problems. Periodontal infection (gum diseases) is related to diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases, stroke, pulmonary infection, pre-term labour and low birth weight babies etc.

Oral and Dental diseases are universal, affecting all age groups and both the sexes, all across the world. Though dental diseases are rarely life threatening, they cause multiple avoidable problems. Another important fact is that dental disease, once initiated would not reverse on its own and would require some intervention by the dental or para-dental manpower. These diseases are generally pain free in the initial stages and therefore when reported, are generally at an advance stage. Dental diseases are very costly to treat but are preventable to a great extent. All these factors emphasize the importance of prevention, which can best be achieved through Oral Health Education and Oral Health Promotion.

It is now recognized that by simply increasing the dental manpower, equipment and machinery cannot improve the oral health of a nation, even in the developed world. The focus has to shift from highly sophisticated tertiary care for a few individuals to preventive and promotive oral health care to the masses, through Oral Health Education and Promotion.

Strategies to reduce the burden of Oral & Dental Diseases in India

India is a vast country of over 1.04 billion people and prevalence of oral diseases is high. The best strategy to prevent oral & dental diseases would be to apply principles of Primary Health Care (PHC) to provide health education, which can empower persons/ communities to take charge of their own health.

For oral health education, services of health care workers at Primary Health Center can be used effectively. They are already trained in behavioral and social aspect of counseling and health education of the community. Including oral health education and promotion in their scope of activities will greatly improve oral health of the nation in a cost effective manner. India has a well designed health care net work of Sub-centers, PHCs, CHCs, District and tertiary care centers, and therefore utilization of this existing network and workforce can be highly effective and productive in reducing oral diseases in India.

The National Oral Health Program aims to implement oral health education activities across the country in a phased manner, utilizing PHC approach and existing man-power. In addition, few simple interventions can be in-built in the programme, utilizing the services of trained dental man-power.

I would greatly appreciate receiving positive suggestions from anyone, which can make the NOHCP more accessible to larger population and make it more meaningful and effective in reducing the burden of oral diseases in the country.

With best wishes,

Dr. Naseem Shah
Project Director
Email: nshah@aiims.ac.in