About IDA Community Centre
The Community Centre, an initiative of the Indian Dental Association (IDA) has been
set up to render oral health check-ups and treatment particularly for the underserved,
adivasis and ethnic groups living in far flung rural and non-accessible areas of
the country.
IDA Community Centre believes that every person is entitled to knowledge and oral
health care. The Centre with the help of member dentists and volunteers provide
oral health services and awareness programmes for these people who due to economical
weakness, distance and location, culture, language or education face significant
barriers in accessing oral health care services. Many of them don’t even know what
oral health or dental care is! Today, efforts are being collaborated and steps taken
by the community centre with partnering organizations to provide dental chairs and
equipments to health care centres, hospitals and mobile units in the most remote
stretches of rural India.
IDA Community Centre arranges oral health personnel trained in the subject of community
dentistry to travel to villages and provide preventive, diagnostic, curative and
emergency services to these communities. By regularly visiting these areas, adivasis
and others can access oral health care services in their own villages thereby reducing
the chances that they will receive oral care only in times of crisis.
IDA Community Centre is working towards well-informed communities with an entrepreneur
attitude and the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in sustainable oral health
care community centres that improve quality of life and community image.
Our Target Population
- Adivasis
- Tribal & Ethnic communities
- Handicapped & Underprivileged persons
Startling Facts:
About 50% of India’s population suffers from gum disease (WHO Report) Dental disease
prevalence in 35-44 year olds is at 80-95% (DCI Survey) 40 % of Indians not use
a tooth brush (IMRB Survey) 1.5% dentists are available in rural India where 72%
of Indian population resides (National Oral Health Survey)
HERE is Community Centre To HELP
- Dental disease is almost entirely preventable.
- Treat or prevent dental disease in its early stages.
- Before it progresses to the point of chronic infection.
- This results in gum and bone tissue loss and inevitable removal of teeth.
- Infection from tooth disease can spread to other parts of the body and may even
lead to death. Clearly, oral health is just as important as the health of the rest
of the body.
- Prevention is the key.
FUTURISTIC VISION
To provide cost effective and accessible oral health care to the underprivileged
and needy people in rural and remotest areas of the country.
TRANSFORMING ORAL HEALTH
A comprehensive, coordinated approach for health education and promotion, care coordination
and effective prevention is critical for improving the oral health of the underserved.
The Community Centre operates on the following fundamental principles:
- Prevention is essential which translates into educating families about taking
charge of their own oral health.
- Everyone deserves a dentist even the underserved populations to improve the
oral health.
- Availability of care alone will not maximize utilization but better attention
to social or cultural issues and oral health education.
- Treating the existing disease without educating the patient is a waste. Educating
patients about risks and how to reduce them should be incorporated into every possible
patient encounter. This will increase an understanding of how to stay healthy and
prevent future disease.