By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Lack of awareness on the oral hygiene in the state coupled with excessive intake of tobacco has gave way to high dental-related diseases like oral cancer.
People are less concerned about dental health and even those living in the urban areas lacked proper knowledge on this health related issue and this poor oral hygiene can result to cancer, heart disease and other ailments.
“The scenario of oral hygiene in the state is very poor and dental-related diseases is very much prevalent in the state even at a very young age”, President of the Indian Dental Association (Meghalaya Branch) Dr KS Sehdave revealed this on Thursday.
Narrating the main problem behind the poor oral hygiene in the state, Dr Sehdave said lack of awareness coupled with poverty and easy access to chewing tobacco like gutkhas, kwai and other items at a very cheap price are the main reason behind this cause.
“It is very important for people to take note of their dental health care as there have been cases where people with dental problems, hesitate to seek a doctor at the earlier stage leading to the fast spread of the disease in the gums and teeth of the individual making it difficult to cure”, secretary of the Indian Dental Association (Meghalaya Branch) Dr Kyrpang Passah stated.
It is due to this concern that the Indian Dental Association, a national association with its branches all over the country has decided to hold its 7th North East Regional Dental Conference 2011 on the theme ‘Learn, excel and enjoy’ at Shillong Club on October 17 and 18. This is one of the first ever conferences on dental health care to be held in Shillong with around 500 delegates from all over the country taking part.
Lectures and hands on courses will be delivered by eminent speakers from all over the country. These courses will be provided with an aim to enable the students and private practioners of Meghalaya and Shillong in particular to gain knowledge on the latest advancement of dental treatments and procedures.
Keeping abreast with the fast and furious development of dental materials, there will be a trade fair in the venue itself for both the days that will showcase various materials that will help the dentists in their dental practice.