Decoding India’s national oral health program-an appraisal of the barriers to quality dental care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20205736Keywords:
National oral health program, Quality dental care, Barriers, ImplementationAbstract
Oral health is a poorly assessed and treated aspect of the health among Indians. The government continues to poorly fund oral health programs even though evidence of mounting incidence of poor oral health among Indians lingers on. Regardless of the profoundly anticipated national oral health program, oral health burden stays gazing at the nation. It could be a direct result of a fragmented policy with varying priorities regarding the possible solutions to oral health problems. Its implementation faces numerous hindrances which should be defeated for successful utilization. Thus, it is fundamental for the government of India, the policymakers, the stakeholders, and dental bodies to conquer every single barrier and define a compelling national oral health policy backed by current scientific evidence. It would guarantee oral health care to all particularly the populace from the oppressed section of the society. This paper is an endeavour to unite all the components identified with the national oral health program. Additionally, give suggestions for its viable usage.
References
Oswal K, Gour R, Deshpande T, Dhoble A. Developing an Innovative Model of oral Health Service Delivery in India. Prev Med Health. 2017;1(4):1014-8.
Singh A, Purohit BM. Addressing geriatric oral health concerns through national oral health policy in India. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2014;4(1):39-42.
Operational guidelines. National oral health program. Ministry of health and family welfare Government of India. Available from: https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/51318563751452762792-0.pdf. Accessed on 24 July 2020.
Lal S, Paul D, Vashisht BM. National Oral Health Care Programme (NOHCP) implementation strategies. Indian J Community Med. 2004;29(1):3-10.
FDI-World dental federation. Quality in dentistry. Adopted by FDI General Assembly, August 2017.
Tickel M, Campbell S. How do we measure quality in primary dental care? Br Den J. 2013;215(4):183-7.
Mortelmans E, Berghmans J, Justous. Quality dental care: a complex subject. Rev Belge Med Dent. 2008;63(3):108-24.
Scott Trettenero D. Quality dentistry: what does that really mean? Dentistry IQ. Jan 2016. Available from: https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/01/qualitydentistry-what-doesthat-really-mean. Accessed on 24 July 2020.
Gupta S, Ranjan V, Rai S, Mathur H, Solanki J, Koppula SK. Oral health service utilization among the rural population of western Rajasthan. India. J Indian Acad oral med radiol. 2014;26:410-3.
Parkash H, Shah N. National Oral Health Care Programme: Implementation Strategies. New Delhi: National Oral Health Care Programme, Govt. of India; 2001.
Kothia NR, Bommireddy VS, Devaki T, Vinnakota NR, Ravoori S, Sanikommu S et al. Assessment of the status of National oral health policy in India. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2015;4(9):575-81.
Wilson NHF, Shamshir ZA, Moris S, Slater M, Ei Kok C, Dunne SM et al. Dental workforce development as part of the oral health agenda for Brunei Darussalam. Int Dent J. 2013;63:49-55.
Reddy KV, Moon NJ, Reddy KE, Chandrakala S. Time to implement national oral health policy in India. Indian J Public Health. 2014;58:267-9.
Tandon S. Challenges to the oral health workforce in India. J Dent Educ. 2004;68(7):28-33.
Gambhir RS, Gupta T. Need for oral health policy in India. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2016;6(1):50-5.
Narayan A, Thomas SJ, Daniel A, Fatima S, Mathew RA. An overview of oral health in India current scenario and challenges. Int J Oral Care Res. 2016;4(4):280-3.
Delhi: Planning Commission of India; 2011. (HLEG) HLEG. High Level Expert Group Report on Universal Health Coverage for India. 2011;1-346.
Onwujekwe O, Uguru N, Russo G, Etiaba E, Mbachu C, Mirzoev T et al. Role and use of evidence in policymaking: An analysis of case studies from the health sector in Nigeria. Health Res Policy Syst. 2015;13:46.
Etiaba E, Uguru N, Ebenso B, Russo G, Ezumah N, Uzochukwu B et al. Development of oral health policy in Nigeria: An analysis of the role of context, actors and policy process. BMC Oral Health. 2015;15:56.
Mozhdehifard M, Ravaghi H, Raeissi P. Application of Policy Analysis Models in Oral Health Issues: A Review. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2019;9(5):434-44.
Pucca Jr GA, Gabriel M, Aranjo ME, de Almeida FC. Ten years of a national oral health policy in Brazil: Innovation, boldness, numerous challenges. J Dent Res. 2015;94(10):1333-7.
Janakiram C, Sanjeevan V, Br R, Joseph J, Stauf N, Benzian H. Political priority of oral health in India: analysis of the reason for neglect. J Public Health Dent. 2018;78(2):144-53.
FDI World dental federation. The challenges of oral disease-A call for global action. The oral health atlas. 2nd ed. Geneva: FDI, 2015.
Mathur MR, Singh A, Watt R. Addressing inequalities in oral health in India: need for skill mix in the dental workforce. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015;4(2):200-2.