The capacity of public health institutions to address the oral health problems is limited to cater the entire population. Talking to Business Recorder, a dentist working at a government hospital on the condition of anonymity, said that oral health does not figure on the public health priorities.
"Public health interventions to meet dental health need be made part of the health plan", he added. To provide guidance not only to the haemophilic patients, but also to their parents and guardians, 'The Third Educational Workshop for Haemophilia Patients and their Families on Dental Awareness' was held at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Saturday.
Dr Anser Maqsood, Professor and Head of the Dental Department, Pims was the chief guest, Dr Waseem Khawaja, Assistant Director Pims, Dr Tahira Zafar, Consultant Haematologist, Pims, Dr Zahida Ahmad, Dental Surgeon, Children Hospital Pims, students from dental hospitals, practitioners, haemophilia patients and their families attended the workshop.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Anser Maqsood said that almost 45 per cent of haemophilia patients have various types of dental disorders due to lack of proper care and education.
"There is a need to focus on these patients, as a slight carelessness can cause big problem for them", he said. He said that the dental diseases are increasing with the increase in urbanisation and change in dietary habits. He further said that dental diseases are common in the country but a slight care and awareness can help stop the diseases.
Dr Tahira Zafar informed the participants that it is for the first time that a workshop on dental problems has been organised by the Haemophilia Centre. "The HEP is focused on awareness raising, and improved preventive care to reinforce the care offered by the medical doctors. The strategy includes developing effective, simple to understand educational materials in local language, transfer of skills to patients and families for day to day home care and managing the emergencies among the patients", she added.
The workshop included an educational and technical sessions. The educational session focused on identifying problems and issues related to dentistry. Whereas in the technical session, the experts informed the participants that Dental Caries (cavities) and Gingivitis (gum diseases) are totally preventable with the knowledge for those who seek to prevent Caries. Prevention of Caries includes proper brushing with fluoride paste, use of fissure sealants, and fibrous diet as fruits and vegetables and fewer intakes of sugar.
However, if preventive measures are not taken, the acidic attack can cause the tooth decay. If not treated timely, the tooth becomes un-restorable and would have to be extracted with all the hazards that entails for the treatment of patients with Haemophilia.
Patients with haemophilia must remember that the prevention of dental disease is better, cheaper and safer then the treatment. The participants were also given demonstrations on special dental emergency kits by facilitators to handle dental emergencies.
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