IDA takes up dental quackery with government

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 26

The Indian Dental Association (IDA), Jammu branch, recently took up the issue of dental quackery with Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat.

Jammu IDA president Dr Gautam Sharma and secretary Dr Bhupinder Singh called on the minister. During the meeting, Dr Sharma claimed that dental quacks were using non-sterilised instruments while giving treatment on the roadside to gullible patients, thereby spreading communicable diseases.

He claimed that such treatment had became the root cause of blood-borne diseases, including HIV and hepatitis-B. He added that wrong prosthetic treatment by quacks was a major cause of oral cancer.

Dr Sharma informed the minister about the non-revival of the State Dental Council, that had been dissolved due to technical reasons. He maintained that the court had put the appointment of Registrar of the council on hold till further orders.

The Health Minister gave a patient hearing and assured the delegation that the government would come down heavily on those indulging in dental quackery. He gave an assurance that the matter of the State Dental Council and appointment of its Registrar would be looked into.

Bali Bhagat appreciated the Jammu branch of the IDA for regularly organising dental camps for the poor and less privileged sections of society. He asked Dr Sharma to organise more such camps and oral health awareness lectures in villages so that the people could benefit.