Paradigm shifts in oral health policy towards school children

The modest goal of World Health Organization (WHO), of reducing DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled teeth) to below 3 for 12- year old and caries prevalence below 50 -60% for 5-6 year olds has not been achieved in developing countries. In most of the developing countries including India, these goals are unlikely to be achieved in the next decade or more without a major change in the health policies and delivery system. Barriers exist that prevent many school aged children, not all of whom are poor, from accessing dental care that cannot be overcome by traditional private practice. If oral health care of all children have to be taken care of , rich and poor alike, then better ways to bring oral health care to children have to be considered. It is important to sensitize policymakers about spreading health awareness right from school level

Autorentext

Author is actively involved as an academician, health professional and a researcher with numerous publications to her credit including journals of international repute. Her research contributions encompass diverse topics of oral health with various groups,infection control, quality of life, health care discrepancies, quality education.