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Recommendations for Oral Health
IDA recognizes the importance of prevention, diagnosis and treatment necessary to
restore and maintain the oral health of infants, children and adolescents. Comprehensive
health care cannot be achieved unless oral care is included in all health service
programmes.
The recommendations are suggested because IDA recognizes that oral health has a
significant impact on overall health and well-being as mentioned earlier. The association
raises oral health awareness, prevention, early detection and management of dental,
oral and craniofacial tissues and integrate it into health care, community- based
programmes and social services.
The association gives priority to Child Oral health Card because of the following
belief that:
- "Oral health means much more than healthy teeth."
- "Oral health is integral to general health."
The stress is on:
- Changing perceptions of the public, policymakers and health providers regarding
oral health and disease so that oral health becomes an accepted component of general
health.
- Removing known barriers between people and oral health services.
- Accelerating the building of the scientific and evidence base, as well as the application
of research findings to improve oral health.
- Ensuring the adequacy of public and private health personnel and resources to meet
the oral health needs of all Indian and enable the integration of oral health effectively
with general health. The focus is on having a responsive, competent, diverse, and
flexible workforce.
- Expanding public-private partnerships and building upon common goals to improve
the oral health of those who suffer disproportionately from oral diseases.
IDA recommends oral health care be included in the design and provision of individual
and community- based health care programmes to achieve comprehensive health care.
This can be achieved through the National Oral Health Programme.