ASHA, Panchayati Raj Institutions trained on oral health in Nagaland

Kohima, Nov. 29 (EMN): A one-day training for accredited social health activists (ASHA) and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) on importance of ‘Oral health on overall health and awareness on ill effects of tobacco COTPA 2003’ was held on Tuesday at the CMO’s conference hall in Kohima.

The training programme was organised by the National Oral Health Programme (NOHP), Nagaland, an update informed.

Dr. Merbeni Odyuo, Health joint director and SPO (NOHP), in her opening address, stated that oral health has been neglected over the years, especially in the rural areas, adding that there was low awareness amongst the population and the care providers which has led to continued neglect of dental care.

Odyuo said it is time to change the community’s mindset that oral health is not just a tooth problem as dental caries is considered one of the most widespread health issues. She stated that the situation is alarming in India as the ratio of dentists to population in the country is 1:10,000.

However, in rural India, one dentist is serving a population of over 2,50,000, which suggests disparity in delivery of oral health services in rural population.

“Therefore, a shift from treatment to prevention is required; and oral health promotion is a way to prevent dental diseases and is not a new concept,” she said.

Odyuo said the community workers are adequately trained on general health but must also have knowledge on the importance of good oral health.

She added that the objective to conduct oral health training to Anganwadi workers or ASHA workers and PRI was to spread awareness among the community on oral health.

Dr. Arenla Walling, district nodal officer NTCP, Kohima, and Dr. Pfukrolo Koza, junior specialist at NHAK, also highlighted on the ill-effects of tobacco and importance of oral health.