Government initiatives for better oral health: A glimpse

The task force is currently organizing workshops/meeting to develop a comprehensive policy documentThe NOHP is focusing on various components including IEC/SBCC (Information Education and Communication / Social Behaviour Change Communication) strategies for oral health awareness including media campaigns, support to the State Government for enhancing the availability of oral health services and improving accessibility to oral health care at various levels. NOHP has been instrumental in rolling out a school-based pit and fissure sealant program across 12 Dental/Medical colleges on a pilot basisNOHP is also considering the enhancement of dental research, innovation, and new technologiesNOHP had supported the establishment of almost 760 dental services to PHC (Primary Health Centre) level across 33 states under the Umbrella of National Health Mission. [5] The RBSK screening teams are supposed to screen 6 weeks to 18-year-old for 30 key diseases, which includes dental caries as wellThe National Professional Organizations such as the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry are expected to initiate appropriate large-scale measures systematically to improve the oral health awareness.