National Dental Health Research Centre on cards

With an aim to sensitise people about their dental health, the Health Ministry is soon to open National Dental Health Research Centre, which will be first of its kind in the country. According to government officials, the objective behind the institute is to create awareness about dental health by showcasing research findings.

"It's a hard fact that people are least bothered about their dental health despite the fact that oral disorders are genesis of several life taking diseases. Raising awareness about dental health is a need of the hour and such plans of the government will go a long way in encouraging people to adopt positive and healthy habits," said Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste while opening National Dental and Oral Health Information IVR Portal on Monday.

The proposal to open institute is in final stage and it would be opened soon after finalising some basic norms, the minister said. Speaking on the occasion, Health Secretary CK Mishra said that oral diseases are becoming leading health problems and attributed mainly to rapidly changing lifestyles, wide-spread use of tobacco and increased consumption of alcohol. "Due to prevalence and incidence, oral diseases pose a major threat to public health. The ministry is integrating the oral health programme with other programmes so that adequate steps can be taken to mitigate and minimise the conditions arising from poor health," Mishra said.