Indian Dental Association's Bengal chapter wins 1st prize

Kolkata: The Bengal chapter of the Indian Dental Association (IDA) has won the first prize in the Dental Professional Group category for celebrating the Oral Hygiene Day. The award would be presented during the inaugural ceremony of the 42nd National Conference of Indian Society of Periodontology (ISP) in Kolkata.

Like others, IDA's Bengal chapter celebrates the "Oral Hygiene Day" on August 1 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Late Dr G B Shankwalkar, the doyen of Indian Periodontics.

It is celebrated every year to bring awareness and also to stress upon the importance in preventing oral diseases. Hygiene plays a vital role in preventing many oral diseases. Due to the lack of awareness clubbed with illiteracy and poverty, the Indian population suffers from diseases that could have been prevented. It is not only the responsibility of every individual but of every dental and voluntary organisation to address the issue of oral hygiene.

Indian Society of Periodontology (ISD) provides an opportunity to spread the message of oral hygiene across the country to benefit the Indian community through the dental colleges and voluntary organisations. Bengal chapter of the IDA conducts various awareness programme on the oral hygiene from time to time so that people become aware on how to maintain their teeth. Various diseases could be prevented through awareness programme. Raju Biswas, secretary of the IDA Bengal chapter said: "It is a proud moment for us that the ISD has selected us for the best prize."