Department of Periodontia & Community Dentistry

Public health dentistry encompasses various thrust areas focused on improving the oral health of communities. Some key thrust areas include:

1. Preventive Dentistry: This involves promoting oral hygiene practices, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants to prevent common oral diseases like dental caries (cavities) and periodontal (gum) disease.
2. Community Dental Health Education: Educating communities about the importance of oral health, proper nutrition, and lifestyle habits that contribute to good oral hygiene is crucial for preventing oral diseases.
3. Epidemiology of Oral Diseases: Understanding the prevalence, distribution, and determinants of oral diseases within populations helps in developing effective public health strategies and interventions.
4. Oral Health Promotion and Policy Development: Advocating for policies that promote access to dental care, fluoridation of water, and community-based preventive programs to improve oral health outcomes.
5. Community-Based Oral Health Programs: Developing and implementing programs that provide dental services to underserved populations, including children, the elderly, and those with limited access to dental care.
6. Research and Evaluation: Conducting research to assess the effectiveness of public health interventions, evaluating oral health outcomes, and identifying areas for improvement.
7. Dental Public Health Administration: Overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of oral health programs at the community, state, and national levels.
8. Health Equity and Social Determinants of Oral Health: Addressing social, economic, and environmental factors that influence oral health disparities and working towards reducing inequalities in access to dental care.
9. Global Oral Health Initiatives: Collaborating with international organizations and participating in global oral health initiatives to address oral health challenges on a global scale.
10. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, policymakers, educators, and community leaders to promote overall health and well-being through oral health initiatives.

RESEARCH THRUST AREAS IN PERIODONTOLOGY  Local drug delivery  Periodontal medicine  Herbs in plaque control  Periodontal plastic surgery  Regenerative materials in Periodontal therapy  Bone grafts.