IDA along with IWC, DHS and DoE jointly conducts National Oral Health Programme

Port Blair, Aug 05: It has been the avowed goal of IDA (Indian Dental Association) to attain optimal oral health for all, National Oral Health Programme(NOHP)  is born out of IDA’s ( Indian Dental Association) commitment to dental excellence. Oral health caused through apparent neglect, affect quality of life and have serious consequences on other parts of the body.

This programme combines preventive measures among school children, its main focus was on primary prevention before its onset through comprehensive approach involving education , prevention and treatment.

The perception is ingrained in the Indian mindset is that oral health is not very much important as  general health and its neglect is not likely to cause any harm to systemic health , this calls for an attitudinal change of people.

Oral health cards were given to children after proper diagnosis and they can approach any government hospital(dental Section) free of cost. Apart form Port Blair, NOHP was conducted in remote islands like Car Nicobar, Kamorta (tribal areas)CampbelBayand other areas like Rangat, Mayabunder & Diglipur. These areas were chosen as poor accessibility acted as barriers to oral care as children are more prone to tooth decay or gum disease. Primary dental care is the way of achieving good oral health for the school children

Schools are important institution that facilitates provision of oral & general health care programmes. The availability of children in large numbers in schools permits delivery of mass educative programmes in a convenient manner. School teachers can effectively influence student’s knowledge, attitude and practices regarding oral health and can bring change in behavior, oral hygiene practices once established at an early stage can go a long way in spending rest of the life in healthy way, the focus is on inculcation of proper oral health among children to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Dental check up was done by Dr. Vinod, Dr Rashmi Nair and Dr.P. Ravi Kumar examined 155 students at Middle School Junglighat, Dr.Poonam Arora & Dr.P Shanti examined 45 students atGSSDugnabadSchool. In Rangat Dr Rachana Sanjeev Lal, examined 165 students atGovtSr.SecSchool. At Mayabunder, Dr.Tripti Saha, examined 284 students atGovtSecondary School. In Diglipur Dr.Shalini Tiwari, examined 180 students at Govt. Model Sr. secondary school. In Car Nicobar Dr.Maxim Thomas, examined 44 students at Middle school Tamaloo. In Kamorta at govt model school Dr. Ruth Christofer, examined 76 students. In Campbel Bay Govt Sr. Sec. school Dr. Jharna Rao examined 208 students, and inGovtGirlsSr.Secondary School, Port Blair, Dr Sheela Kumari & Dr. Dinesh, examined 176 students, and all the Dental Surgeons advised on oral prophylaxis at the respective schools. This is for the first time a total of 1,484 students was examined on a single day throughoutA & NIslandsby the Dental Surgeons.

The oral health status of each child and treatment plan proposed was recorded on the form and register as well and that data collected would then be analysed. President IDA & Inner wheel club Dr Poonam Arora has said it has plans to carry out more such activities on a larger scale.

National Oral Health Programm in schools was  jointly organised by IDA( Indian  Dental Association) Andaman Nicobar State branch in association with Directorate of health services, Directorate of Education, Inner wheel club and Rotary club of Port Blair, President Rotary club of port Blair Mr. Girish Arora said more programme will be done in future in rural areas.

Dr.Dinesh, General Secretary of IDA has expressed sincere thanks to Directorate of health services, Dr.Thulsidasan, Deputy Director(School Health),Directorate of Education, the dental surgeons, the Rotarians of Rotary club of Port Blair and members of Inner wheel club, and the concerned principals of schools for their kind support and active cooperation for conducting this programme through out A & N Islands on the same day by dental surgeons to enhance the oral health status as a part of the social commitment.