An overview of the oral primary preventive measures at public/community level in India

Due importance is given to the primary level of prevention where the action is taken before the onset of the disease so that the disease exists no longer. Oral diseases are a major public health problem, and their burden is on increase in many low- and middle-income countries. Dental public health (DPH) aims to improve the oral health of the population through preventive and curative services. However, its achievements in India are being questioned probably because of lack of proficiency and skill among personnel. The present review study focuses on some of the important aspects relating to oral primary preventive measures at public/community level in India such as priority for oral health, DPH workforce and curriculum, and utilization of DPH personnel in providing primary oral health care. It was concluded that more attention should be given toward preventive oral health care by employing more number of dentists in public sector, strengthening DPH education and research, and combining oral health programs with general health-care programs.