Interactive session, walk mark World Oral Health Day

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 20

Several dentists from the city gathered at the Jogger’s Park here to mark World Oral Health Day and to create awareness about oral hygiene among the public.

A one-hour session was conducted during which a number of queries of the public were answered by the dentists. It was followed by an ‘oral health walk’ in the Jogger’s Park and Rose Garden.

Dr Nidhi Verma, president of the Bathinda unit of the Indian Dental Association (IDA), said World Oral Health Day (WOHD) was celebrated every year on March 20. It was a global day to promote worldwide awareness of issues related to oral health and the importance of oral hygiene.

Dr Rajnish Kansal, secretary, IDA, said this year’s world oral health day campaign ‘Live Mouth Smart’ empowers people to take control of their oral health, throughout life, so they could enjoy a healthy, functional mouth from childhood into old age.

It conveys the message that by making smart decisions such as adopting good oral hygiene habits, avoiding risk factors and having a regular dental check-up, they could help prevent oral diseases.

Dr R Gopal said poor oral hygiene continues to be a global challenge as 60-90 per cent of the schoolchildren and nearly 100 per cent of the adults had tooth decay.

Dr Parvinder said: “Our mission at the IDA is to improve people’s lives by delivering complete oral care solutions and stressed the need of oral care from beginning in childhood.”

Dr Meena Gupta, District Dental Health Officer, Bathinda, said dental treatment itself was not costly, but a delay in the treatment makes it costlier. Dr Puri highlighted myths and taboos related to the dental treatment. He emphasised that there was no relationship between tooth removal and eyesight.

Dr JL Singla said: “As a part of efforts to prevent and check spread of oral diseases, it was important that we brush twice a day and such programmes are ways to create awareness about oral hygiene. Dr Rajeev Sharma told us that a series of activities such as public talks, walks and runs and seminars would be organised by the IDA, Bathinda unit, in the coming week to observe ‘Oral Health Week’.

Dr Rajeev Bansal, Dr Saurabh Gupta, Dr Mohit, Dr Kamal, Dr Deepak Singla, Dr Jashan Goyal, Dr Neha Goyal, Dr Sangeeta Jha and Dr Naseem Garg, also gave oral hygiene tips to the public.

They said good oral hygiene habits, avoiding risk factors and having a regular dental check-up from early in life could help maintain optimal oral health into the old age.

World Oral Health Day was also organised by the Adesh Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Bathinda, with enthusiasm.

The event was flagged off with a speech by Dr Jatinder Singh, head, department of public health dentistry, followed by a speech by principal Dr Amanish Singh, who motivated students and others on the importance of maintaining oral hygiene.

Mass participation of students in a poster-making competition was appreciated. They displayed their creativity to make this day memorable. Later, vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Rajnish Jindal and Dr Chirasree Chakerbarty. The event concluded with distribution of award of appreciation among winners.