Unveils communication material to raise awareness on oral health
On the occasion of ‘World Oral Health Day’ Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare along with CK Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Dr Jagdish Prasad, Director General of Health Services, launched the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material. The National Dental and Oral Health Information IVR portal including a toll free number (1XXX-XX-2032) for addressing oral health queries was also launched.
Kulaste said, “Oral health is integral to the overall health of a person and will contribute to the all-round development of the nation. India has taken huge strides in the healthcare sector by initiating new programmes to improve the health outcome of the country and it is now amongst those nations that have dedicated programme on oral health. Raising awareness about dental health is need of the hour and these information initiatives will go a long way in encouraging people to adopt positive and healthy habits.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mishra stated that oral diseases are becoming the leading health problems and attributed mainly to rapidly changing lifestyles, widespread use of tobacco and increased consumption of alcohol. Due to prevalence and incidence, oral diseases pose a major threat to public health. The Secretary (Health) said that the Ministry is integrating the oral health programme with other programmes so that adequate steps can be taken to mitigate and minimise the conditions arising from poor health.”
Also present at the function were Manoj Jhalani, Joint Secretary, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and senior officers of the Ministry and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.