Oral Health Program

Oral Disease Burden & NOHP Intro - Cavity Crisis & National Plan

• Oral Disease Burden (India):
  • Dental Caries: Affects 50-60% of schoolchildren & ~85% of adults.
  • Periodontal Disease: Affects ~90% of adults.
  • Oral Cancer: India: 1/3rd of global cases; commonest cancer in males.
• Key Risk Factors:
  • Tobacco use (smoked & smokeless).
  • Harmful alcohol consumption.
  • High intake of sugary foods/drinks.
  • Inadequate oral hygiene.
• National Oral Health Program (NOHP):
  • Launched: 2014 under National Health Mission (NHM).
  • Aim: Reduce morbidity from oral diseases, improve quality of life, promote oral health.
  • Focus: Integrated oral health promotion, early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment services.

⭐ Dental caries and periodontal diseases are the two most common oral diseases globally and in India.

NOHP Objectives & Strategies - Blueprint for Better Bites

Objectives:

• ↓ Morbidity from dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral cancer, malocclusion.
• ↑ Oral health awareness, healthy dietary habits, and tobacco cessation.
• Integrate oral health services with general healthcare system at primary, secondary, tertiary levels.
• Strengthen human resources (dentists, hygienists, auxiliaries) and infrastructure.
• Promote research for prevention and control of oral diseases.

Strategies:

• IEC/BCC: Mass media, school health programs, community awareness for oral hygiene, diet, anti-tobacco.
• Service Delivery:
  • Population-based screening for early detection.
  • Essential oral care package at Sub-centres, PHCs, CHCs.
  • Referral to District Hospitals/Dental Colleges for specialized care.
• Capacity Building: Training healthcare providers (ASHA, ANM, MOs, Dental Surgeons).
• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E): Regular reporting, supportive supervision, impact assessment.
• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) & Intersectoral Coordination with WCD, Education.
• Target Groups: Children (0-14 yrs), pregnant/lactating women, elderly, disabled, underserved areas.

⭐ NOHP aims for affordable and accessible oral healthcare, with a focus on prevention and early detection.

Key Interventions & Prevention Levels - Guarding Grins, Fixing Flaws

• Key Interventions:
  • Fluoridation: Water (0.5-0.8 ppm), salt, milk; Topical (varnish, gel).
  • Pit & Fissure Sealants.
  • Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART).
  • Oral Cancer Screening: VIA, Toluidine Blue.
  • Tobacco Cessation: Counseling.
  • IEC/BCC: Oral hygiene, diet (↓sugar), dental visits.
• Prevention Levels:
  • Primordial: Education on risk factors (diet, tobacco).
  • Primary: Fluoridation, sealants, hygiene, anti-tobacco drives.
  • Secondary: Early diagnosis (caries, perio, oral cancer), prompt treatment (fillings, ART).
  • Tertiary: Restorations, prosthetics, rehabilitation.
• Personnel Roles:
  • Dental Surgeon: Diagnosis, treatment, care.
  • Health Workers (ANM/MPW): Screening, IEC, fluoride.
  • ASHA: Mobilization, awareness, referral.

⭐ Optimal fluoride level in drinking water for caries prevention in India is 0.5-0.8 ppm.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• National Oral Health Programme (NOHP) aims to reduce India's oral disease burden.
• Key focus: Prevention, early diagnosis, and management of common oral conditions.
• Targets major issues like dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer.
• School children are a primary target group for interventions.
• Emphasizes fluoride for caries prevention and tobacco cessation for oral cancer.
• Integrated with National Health Mission (NHM) for wider reach and implementation.
• ASHA workers play a role in community awareness and referral.