State’s dental health initiatives draw praise at national review

Kerala’s dental health programmes have won accolades at the National Oral Health Programme’s nationallevel review, conducted by the Union Health Ministry and the Centre for Dental Education and Research at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, a statement issued by the office of Health Minister Veena George said here.

The State’s dental health programmes — Mandahasam, Punchiri, Velicham and Deeptham — are worthy of emulation by other States, it was noted. The States of Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh and the Union Territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep have chosen these programmes to be included in their oral health programmes.

Many dental labs

Dental healthcare is available from family health centres to medical colleges. Dental units are being set up in all taluk hospitals. Apart from the labs in dental colleges, 57 acrylic labs that can manufacture dentures and a dental ceramic lab that can manufacture dentures which can be affixed permanently have been established. No other State has as many dental labs, the statement said.

Under Mandahasam, those in the BPL category above 60 years are given dentures for free. In the past three years, 7,012 were given free dentures.

Under Punchiri scheme, in 2023, 1.32 lakh schoolchildren in the 616 year age group were given comprehensive dental care. Velicham scheme ensures free oral cancer screening and treatment for migrant workers, the elderly in coastal areas and those in the tribal belt. Under this scheme, 545 persons were diagnosed and are being treated for oral cancer, while 4,682 persons diagnosed with precancerous oral lesions are also receiving treatment. Under Deeptham scheme, dental care was provided to 617 differently abled children.