Boosting Oral Health in India: The Oral Health Collaborative Network Conclave

New Delhi: The Centre for Dental Education & Research (CDER) at AIIMS, New Delhi, hosted the "Advancing Oral Health in India - The Oral Health Collaborative Network" Conclave on September 29, 2024, in collaboration with the Indian Dental Association (IDA) and supported by Haleon. The event brought together over 100 experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to address key issues in oral health, including school oral health programs, policy frameworks, and improved data collection systems.

Coinciding with World Heart Day, the conclave aimed to raise awareness about the critical yet often overlooked issue of oral health. While cardiovascular disease affects 7.5% of the Indian population, poor oral health, particularly periodontal disease, impacts 51%, highlighting the urgent need for action. The event emphasized that improving oral health is a public health priority requiring immediate attention.

Key discussions at the conclave focused on gaps in access to oral healthcare, awareness, and the empowerment of individuals across India. Experts aimed to develop a sustainable action plan to reduce oral health morbidity through enhanced education, access to care, and advocacy. Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, delivered the keynote address, stressing the importance of integrating oral health into India’s national health agenda, without which Universal Health Care (UHC) cannot be fully achieved. He called for innovative ideas in oral health care and research, praising CDER's contributions in advancing the field.

Mrs. Punya Salila Srivastava, OSD in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, outlined the ministry's initiatives and future plans for oral health, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving oral health services and increasing funding for the sector.

The conclave centered around four themes: early education on oral health, the development of an oral health policy roadmap for 2030, creating a robust oral health data collection system, and fostering public-private partnerships to enhance service delivery. Experts discussed how early education can help prevent lifelong oral health issues, and explored ways to adapt successful global policies to India’s needs.

Dr. Ritu Duggal, Chief of CDER at AIIMS, highlighted the importance of youth-focused oral health education and preventive measures, calling for collaborative efforts to address disparities in access to care. Navneet Saluja, General Manager of Haleon India, emphasized the strong connection between oral health and overall well-being, and the need for increased awareness and action to improve oral health outcomes in India.

The conclave concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration and innovation in oral health research, policy development, and public-private partnerships aimed at improving access to care and overall outcomes.