Pranab for mobile dental clinics to address low dentist to patient ratio

By Express News Service  |   Published: 24th December 2016 02:16 AM

HYDERABAD: There are over 300 dental colleges in the country producing around 30,000 dentists annually. But these numbers are somewhat inadequate as the ‘dentist to patient’ ratio is small, particularly in the suburban and rural areas,  President Pranab Mukherjee has said.

Presiding over the convocation ceremony of the Army College of Dental Sciences in Secunderabad on Friday, he said, “As against an already low ratio of 1:8,000 in urban areas, the dentist-to-population ratio is acute in rural areas with one dentist for every 50,000 people. There is need to close the gap between the number of people seeking dental treatment and the number of dentists available.”
He mooted mobile dental clinics for serving the weaker sections in the society.

Lauding the Army Dental College, he said the college had done remarkably well in a short span of time. “From gaining a grade ‘A’ NAAC accreditation to being ranked consistently amongst the top dental institutions in the country, it has brought glory to both the Indian Army and the country,” he said.
“I am happy to find a number of girls amongst the graduating students today. Empowered women make for an empowered society. I wish to see this encouraging feature strengthen further in the coming years,” he said.

The President advised the young graduates to use their knowledge and technical expertise for the welfare of the common man. “With your professional might, contribute to the cause of humanity, and touch and transform the lives of millions,” he exhorted them.
“Good health is a gift of God. It is also earned through the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
It is important to regulate our daily routine so that we can enjoy good health throughout our life. Oral health is an important component of the overall health profile of an individual. But not much attention is being paid to this aspect of human well-being.”

Calling upon people to keep their health in good condition, Mukherjee quoted Lord Buddha to say that keeping the body in good health is one’s duty and is essential to keep the mind strong and clear.
Degrees were conferred upon 38 graduating students and nine postgraduates from six specialities of dental surgery.

The President presented the ‘Best Outgoing Student in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)’ award to Kumari Archana Chauhan and the ‘Best Outgoing Student in Master of Dental Surgery (MDS)’ award to Sagar Dahiya.
He also presented awards to the students who secured first, second and third places in Bachelor of Dental Surgery.