A vision for pediatric and preventive dentistry oral health policy in India

摘要

Oral health is integral to overall health. Untreated dental problems in children may result in attention deficits, trouble in school, and problemssleeping and eating.[1] Certainly, the oral health policy in India, formulated way back, is an austere picture even today.[2] There are hardly anynational oral health policies or programs in India that reach to every section of society and make the parents conscious of their child's oralconditions and the health practices that should be adopted. Thus, there is an urgent need for oral health assessments, anticipatory guidance,prevention, and early intervention among infants and young children for oral health care in India. The national organizations such as the IndianAcademy of Pediatrics and Indian Society of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry recommend age one for the first oral health evaluation. Byadopting the guidelines, we can work together to eradicate the terrible epidemic of unmet oral health needs in children.