Radio talk show on “Oral Health and Hygiene” 

Chandigarh, May 26, 2022: Enactus SSBUICET team of Panjab University, a team of 100+ student members, dedicated towards a common goal of bringing “the best suitable business model” in order to shape a better society has come forward to raise concerns surrounding the challenges that affect the oral health and overall wellbeing, with support of Colgate-Palmolive, informed Prof. Seema Kapoor, Faculty Advisor, Panjab University. In today’s busy world we all have our priorities sorted. But there are certain aspects which go unnoticed by the majority of people and one such topic of discussion is oral health and hygiene, averred Prof. Kapoor.

To accentuate oral hygiene, the Enactus team organized a radio talk show today in collaboration with PGIMER, Chandigarh and Developing Indigenous Resources-India (DIR) with the support of Prof. Archana R. Singh from Department of Mass Communication, Panjab University. To address this important topic, Dr. Shipra, MDS, Ph.D., Unit of Periodontics, Oral Health Science Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education Research and Dr. Asha Katoch, CEO, DIR, Nayagaon were the eminent speakers.

The panel moderated by Prof. Kapoor started their talk by addressing the facts regarding oral hygiene informing that in India at least 90% of its population suffer from some kind of dental problem. Further adding, they also mentioned that how people think that old age weakens their dental structure, but with consistent care, one can maintain healthy teeth for a longer period of life.

Dr. Shipra highlighted some valuable points of paramount importance such as how improper dental care can lead to infection in teeth, gum swelling, bad breath, sensitivity, linking the oral problems with systemic diseases such as heart ailment, cancer & diabetes. She cleared many misconceptions like we all think that milk teeth of children are going to fall, so there is no treatment required for the milk teeth in case of caries, but it is not so. So she advised refraining from sweets, sticky foods and brushing the teeth regularly 2 times a day along with daily flossing and tongue cleaning.

Dr. Shipra also spoke regarding how poor oral health & hygiene is related to adverse Covid-19 outcomes, with patients suffering from periodontitis having a high chance of requiring hospital admission and assisted ventilation. She also spoke about how it would be a good idea to change the toothbrush in case you have recently recovered from Covid-19, as viral RNA has been detected in toothbrushes of recovered patients even after 17 days.

An emphasis on the importance of dental check-up, once in every 6 months was also given along with spreading awareness about the ill effects of consuming alcohol and tobacco. Women were made aware about the utmost importance of oral hygiene during the pregnancy.

Dr. Asha Katoch spoke about the ground reality at the grassroot level and the problems being faced by the slum dwellers and basti people adopted by DIR. She further emphasized how financial constraints hinder them from pursuing required oral hygiene practices. She said that more workshops are required for spreading the awareness amongst the general population regarding importance of oral health and how to maintain it, especially during pregnancy.

Prof. Kapoor thanked the eminent speakers of the Radio Talk and said that the points mentioned during the talk will definitely prove to be very beneficial in spreading cognizance about oral health & hygiene.