The much-talked about National Health Policy has robbed dentists of their smiles. The policy, which is being drafted, has no component on oral health.
Concerned over the omission, the State government’s Oral Health Policy committee has termed it a ‘lacuna’ which needs to be addressed.
Committee chairperson Ganesh Shenoy Panchmal has written to the Union government demanding inclusion of oral health promotion in the National Health Policy.
Dr. Panchmal told The Hindu that oral health is an indicator of systemic health, and the foci of infection in the oral cavity can spread to any organ. “It is a misconception that oral diseases are not life-threatening,” he said.
While dental caries has a marked impact on the general health and quality of life of an individual, emerging evidence shows a relationship between periodontal disease, cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases, he explained.
The presence of periodontal diseases may be associated with heart ailments, strokes, kidney diseases, diabetes, pre-term births and prosthetic joint complications.
According to the World Health Organisation, cancer of the oral cavity is the most common cancer in India. The problem of oral cancer can be effectively tackled if detected early. “The oral cavity is easily accessible for routine examination, and non-medical personnel can readily detect pre-cancerous lesions,” he said.
By not making oral health a part of the National Health Policy, the government is depriving people an essential key to overall health and a better quality of life, he added.
