ADCP

Why Dental Health? Dental Health: A window to your Overall Health
Dental health is more important than you might realise. Did you know that your dental health can offer clues about your overall health, or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria – most of them harmless. Normally the body's natural defences and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control.
Studies also suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease – might play a role in some diseases. In addition, certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body's resistance to infection, making dental health problems more severe.
Population of India is nearly 1.27 billion. Out of this huge population hardly 30% visit a dentist for dental problems and of these 30% patients, about 30% undergo treatment.
o As per Indian Journal of Dental Sciences, prevalence of dental caries is 40%-80% (Very high in Northern States 85%-90%), periodontal diseases usually increase with age and are found more in rural areas. Oral cancer and precancerous conditions are 3%-10% (World’s highest occurrence is in Orissa, that is 7%).
o Only 15 – 20% of people in India are able to get dental services through national schemes, rest all are paying from their own pocket.
o There are many reasons for a person ‘not to visit the dentist’:
• Indifferent attitude (absence of motivation)
• Lack of awareness (knowledge about Oral care and Oral Health)
• Non-availability of good Oral care services (smaller cities/towns)
• Non-affordable cost (expensive treatments)
• Fear of painful and traumatic treatments