Students told to take care of teeth

Vijayawada: The burden of oral disease was further compounded by its associated comorbidities with other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers,  said Dr MV Ramoji Rao, principal of Drs Sudha and Nageswara Rao Siddhartha Institute of Dental Sciences (SIDS) at Gannavaram near here on Tuesday. 

He said the programme was organised to mark the ‘Happy World Oral Health Day' at DR KKR Gowtham School here on Tuesday. Rao said on March 20, 2007 the World Oral Health Day was first declared to reflect that seniors must have a total of 20 natural teeth at the end of their life to be considered healthy. Children should possess 20 baby teeth and healthy adults must have a total of 32 teeth and 0 dental cavities. 

He said oral care awareness camp was the largest global awareness campaign which demonstrates the importance of optimal oral health in maintaining general health and well-being. He said oral health awareness camp was organised at Dr KKR Gowtham School.

As many as 1,246 children were screened, out of which 258 children were suffering from dental caries, 183 children with gingivitis, 38 with irregular teeth and eight children with fluorosis problems. IDA CDH chairman Dr Subash, IDA AP secretary Dr K Ajay Benarji, NSS programme officer Dr G M Naidu, Dr Padmakala and others also spoke.