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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE |
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Year : 2016 | Volume
: 14
| Issue : 1 | Page : 1 |
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President's Message
SS Hiremath
President, IAPHD, Senior Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Date of Web Publication | 15-Mar-2016 |
Correspondence Address: Dr. S S Hiremath President, IAPHD, Senior Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka India
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2319-5932.178731
How to cite this article: Hiremath S S. President's Message. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent 2016;14:1 |
At the very outset, I take this opportunity to thank all my esteemed members for electing me as the president of the most prestigious Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry. My responsibility has been increased, and I shall strive for the betterment of the association.
We are rejoicing the success of getting the periodontia clause removed since last year. This action from Dental Council of India will have a far reaching effect and to an extent, it has strengthened the status of Public Health Dentistry in India.
Oral health is of utmost importance in maintaining a good general health. Oral Health Policy should be an integral part of National Health Policy. Unfortunately, in the absence of National Oral Health Policy everyone is not benefited equally from oral health care, more so among disadvantaged and rural population. Hence, there is a need for National Oral Health Policy. In this direction, Public Health Dentistry should take an active role and spearhead the movement along with other specialties in dentistry.
There are large gaps in oral health care accessibility and utilization in various parts of the country. Major reforms are the need of the hour in our training and teaching programs to address the issues of providing oral health care to the community, particularly in rural settings. At the same time, serious thought to be given for training the postgraduate students in comprehensive oral health care, communication skills, and practice management. Hence, they will be well equipped to face the challenges of either choosing teaching post or practicing of public health-related general dentistry more confidently as a career option.
There is a need to consolidate our activities at local and state level to strengthen and support the activities of the Head office to take up effective and meaningful community oral health programs at national level.
Many more things to be achieved, and I am sure that with the help of all members, it will not be a difficult task. Let us work together for overall development and well-being of our profession.
With warm regards and best wishes.
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