The Pay for Performance Reimbursement Model and Dentistry

[drmithila]

the state government has decided to give a big thrust to dental care services at its hospitals and spread to more rural areas. The state cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday approved a plan to strengthen dental care under public health facilities at district and sub-district government hospitals. For this, 1063 posts will be created. The cabinet has sanctioned Rs87.33 crore for the plan.

Admitting that dental care has been a neglected area leading to rise in oral cancer, gum diseases and related ailments in urban as well as rural areas, a note of the medical education department said a survey in schools had revealed alarming findings. As many as 92% school going students had cavities while 67% suffered from gum diseases. This dismal picture was a direct consequence of consumption of tobacco products by students. It was found that around 60% students either consumed ‘gutkha’ or are hooked to smoking.

There are 16,000 registered dental surgeons practicing in the state. Through its three government dental colleges and 29 private ones, around 1500 dental doctors graduate every year. But 75% of them prefer to work in cities leaving dental facilities non-existent or in abysmal condition in rural areas. To correct this imbalance, it is necessary to create infrastructure in the three general hospitals, 23 district and 24 sub-district hospitals in the state. Only through strengthened services and better manpower and equipment can oral hygiene reach villages, the government has realized.

The new dental care plan envisages providing at district hospitals modern equipment and personnel to carry out root canal treatment, fixing caps on teeth, cosmetic dentistry and surgeries to cure jaw diseases and to diagnose oral cancer and other dental problems. X-ray machines, surgical kits and modern dental units are to be set up and old machinery replaced in some places. An oral health cell headed by a deputy director will be created. Every district hospital will have a qualified dental surgeon assisted by technicians and other staff. Some of them will be appointed on contract basis and if necessary services of private labs will be taken for procuring implants. The cabinet also stressed on the fact that of 48% of cancer cases in the country are of oral or mouth cancers.