At present there are approximately 44,000 dentists, 150 approved / recognized Dental Colleges producing approximately 6000 dental graduates each year serving the entire population of 120 crores. The Health Sector Infrastructure available in the country in 1995 was Sub-Centres 1,32,730; Primary Health Centres 21854 and Community Health Centres were 2424 while the required figures must have reached astounding heights by now and Oral health services exist at District and in about 20% of Community Health Centres in our country, except few states, there is practically no para-dental infra-structure at the said level. There is no Oral Health Services available in the rural communities of India as the Dentist / population ratio is 1 : 3,00,000 in the rural areas.

Thus there is an urgent need to strengthen the Dental Care Services, both at National and State levels to reach up to the village level. To achieve these goals, following steps may be taken :

1. Setting up of Directorate of Oral Health Services to take care of Dental and Oral Health matters. It should have Director General of Dental Services, Additional Director, Joint Director, Dy. Director and other supporting and administrative staff at Central Government level

2. All States should have a separate Directorate of Oral Health Care Services as part of the State Health Services and it should include Director, Additional Director, Joint Director, Dy. Director and other supporting and administrative staff. 

3. Every District should have a District Oral Health Officer in the rank of Joint/Deputy Director who will also coordinate school dental health care programme.

4. Every State should have one Oral Health Training Institute, under the Directorate of Oral Health Services for training Dental Surgeons, Doctors, Paramedical and Dental Staff as well as Community Health Workers. It should also be responsible for developing educational material in different forms.

5. Every Dental College should compulsorily establish Public Health Dentistry Department with qualified staff. Also, diploma and certificate courses in Public Health Dentistry / Community Dentistry should be started to produce the required man-power. 

6. Integration of Oral Health Care with the existing Health structure of the country. In order to provide oral health care at grass root level, qualified dental surgeon and para-medical workers should be involved to strengthen the existing set-up as follows.