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Why take the card
Oral Health is generally taken for granted even though it is essential for our life.
It enhances our ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and
convey our feelings and emotions through facial expressions.
In spite of this, dental caries is a public health problem with a prevalence as
high as 60-80% in children. According to the Directorate General of Health Services
and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, about 30% of children
suffer from malaligned teeth and jaws affecting proper functioning of the dento-facial
apparatus. Periodontal diseases (gum diseases) are prevalent in 67.7 % of 15 year
olds and as much as 89.6 % of 35- 44 year olds. Periodontal (gum) disease destroys
the gums and bone. Teeth become loose, chewing becomes difficult and teeth may have
to be extracted.
Children with untreated oral health diseases suffer not just pain but are dysfunctional,
absent from school, face difficulty in concentrating, suffer from poor nutrition,
shoddy appearance — all this greatly affect a child's quality of life and ability
to succeed.