More than 90 percent of all treatments given in the public dental clinics is tooth extractions, reveals the findings of a World Health Organisation (WHO) sponsored "Situation Analysis on the Oral Health Sector of Pakistan.
The analysis designed and implemented by Provincial Directors of Dental Services, Heads of Dental Institutions, office bearers of Pakistan Dental Association. Besides senior most District Dental Officers further highlighted the fact that preventive services constituted less than three percent of all services at these public dental clinics.
The preventive assistance offered at these units were defined as examination, scaling and prophylaxis respectively. Extremely low provision for the same was cited to indicate the urgent need of introducing effective operational strategies.
As a mean to address the situation it was recommended that oral health be integrated into primary health care program with a provision of basic dental care services to provide appropriate dental health care at the grass roots level.
Measures to promote the universally accessible, effective, efficient and sustainable oral health care system based upon the prevention of oral diseases, their early detection and treatment using interventions selected on basis of best available evidence was also suggested.
These were stressed to be particularly important as oral disease particularly periodontal diseases and caries were found to be prevalent in Pakistan and that close to 90 percent of all oral diseases remain untreated. Lack of knowledge among the public appeared to be the most frequent reason for not seeking timely dental cure.
The situation was said to be improved through promotion of dental auxiliaries in support of Primary Oral Health Care services in district hospitals and first level care facilities. This needs to be supplemented through enhancing health workers' skills on oral and dental public health.
Maintaining effective infection control (universal precautions) measures throughout the oral health care system was also among the submissions besides provision for a management information system for oral health.