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| 1.
What is Community Dentistry? |
Community Dentistry is a specialized branch concerned with the Dental health education of the public, research and administration of Dental Care Programmes for groups as well as prevention and control of oral diseases through a community approach.
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| 2. Where can general public avail Community Dental care services? |
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Community Dentistry department provides out-reach services for needy groups (such as schoolchildren/ slum dwellers/ people with special needs etc.) on a regular basis by adopting centers and organizing camps on request. |
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| 3.
Which are the most prevalent community-wide Dental problems? |
The common Oral Health problems in our region are Dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal diseases (pyorrhea), Oral cancer and pre-cancerous lesions (red and white lesions of mouth), Malocclusion (crooked teeth) as well as Dental Fluorosis. |
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| 4.
How can I prevent these Dental problems from occurring in my family? |
A majority of periodontal diseases are related to poor Dental hygiene. Besides regular brushing of teeth it is also important to restrict intake of sugar rich diet, especially the practice of snacking between meals, to prevent Dental caries. Deleterious oral habits such as thumb sucking and mouth breathing predispose to malocclusion and hence they must be corrected at home or by seeking professional
opinion or a dentist. Fluoride in ground water (bore well), which if used for drinking purposes during formative years of life alters the development of tooth thus causing permanent staining and even disfigurement of teeth. Hence only municipal/surface water should be used for drinking and cooking purposes, especially during first four to eight years of life. Last but not the least, chewing tobacco and supari products are the main risk factors for cancer and precancer of the oral cavity and hence they must be avoided. |
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| 5.
When will there be a vaccine available for lifetime protection against Dental problems? |
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Since most oral health problems are not contagious but life-style related, it is possible to prevent them by simple modifications in our daily habits (as mentioned above). But the good news is that we may have a vaccine against dental caries in the near future. |
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| 6.
Which toothpaste is the best? |
There are a number of therapeutic (prescribed) and cosmetic (over the counter) toothpastes available in the Indian market. While therapeutic toothpastes should never be used as a self-medication (i.e., without a Dentist's prescription), it is beneficial to use any regular toothpaste that is also fluoridated if you are above 8 years of age. Fluoride, being a strong anti-caries agent, helps prevent tooth decay in older children and adults. It can be given to younger children provided the quantity applied to the tooth brush is pea-sized and brushing is supervised by parents to ensure that the child spits out all of the paste after brushing.
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| 7. Why is dental treatment considered painful and expensive? |
Unfortunately majorities of people in our country go to a Dental Surgeon only in the advanced stage of a disease, such as unbearable toothache or facial swelling. Hence they have to either undergo an emergency procedure or bear with the problem till the time medication acts. On the contrary, had the patient visited the Dental Surgeon for a routine visit (ideally every six months but at least once in a year), the problem could have been diagnosed in it's early stage and managed without causing much discomfort as well as in fewer sittings. In conclusion one needs to develop the healthy habit of visiting a Dental Surgeon for a routine consultation on a regular basis since most Oral health problems cannot be easily detected in the initial stages without professional help. Also an ideal patient keeps patience and follows the Dentist’s instructions meticulously for achieving optimum results.
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| 8.
Are there any early warning signs of Dental problems? |
The most notable symptoms of Oral health problems are persistent sensitivity to hot/cold /sweet foodstuffs, discoloration of teeth, dull toothache, swelling or bleeding from gums, foul smell or taste in the mouth, an oral ulcer that does not heal, a red or white patch in the mouth, difficulty in opening of mouth or speaking, etc.
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| 9.
Can tooth extraction affect my
eye sight adversely? |
This is one of the commonest misconceptions. Similarly tooth loss is considered to be natural with advancing age or pregnancy while this is not true. There are many other myths and taboos prevalent in our society and they can only be answered correctly by face to face interaction with a qualified Dental Surgeon from time to time.
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| 10. Who should I meet to gather information about the activities of Community Dentistry department? |
Due to the near universal prevalence of Oral health problems there is a tremendous demand for community based Dental care services in the national capital region of Delhi. The Department has a mobile Dental Clinic, portable machinery and requisite literature to conduct out –reach Dental Care Programmes for needy groups. Agencies or organizations interested in conducting community based Dental research/consultancy services may contact Dr. Pankaj Goel , HOD, Community Dentistry, MADC & H, New Delhi , for further assistance.
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