International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Addressing Geriatric Oral Health Concerns through National Oral Health Policy in India

Document Type : Policy Brief

Authors
Abhinav Singh 1
Bharathi M Purohit 2
1 Department of Dentistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Bhopal, India
2 People’s College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bhopal, India
10.15171/ijhpm.2014.126
Abstract
There is an escalating demand for geriatric oral healthcare in all developed and developing countries including India. Two-thirds of the world’s elderly live in developing countries. This is a huge population that must receive attention from policy-makers who will be challenged by the changing demands for social and health services including oral health services. Resources are limited thus rather than being aspirational in wanting to provide all treatment needed for everybody, this critique presents a road map of how we might answer the present and future geriatric oral health concerns in a most efficient manner in a developing country. Viewing the recent Indian demographic profile and the trends in oral health, pertinent policy subjects have been discussed concerning the oral health needs of the elderly and also the associated challenges which include strategies to improve quality of life, strategies to train and educate the dental workforce and above all the role of healthcare systems towards realization of better aged society in India and other developing countries
Keywords
Developing Country
Geriatric Dental Education
Health Services
Oral Health Policy
Subjects
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  • Received Date 29 August 2014
  • Revised Date 28 November 2014
  • Accepted Date 26 November 2014
  • First Published Date 01 January 2015
  • Published Date 01 January 2015