Indian Dental Scene

• India is a vast country with a population nearing 1000 million people.
• Nearly 125 dental colleges producing over 3000 dentists each year.(poorly controlled standards)
• Present dentist number is estimated approx. 30,000.
• 70% population lives in villages, served very poorly by dentists.
• Level of dental education among pubic is low.
• Consumption of Tobacco in various forms is high & is on the rise. High incidence of Oral cancer, dental caries (dmft 3<) and periodontal problems.
• Many areas have high fluoride in drinking water, this has been used by anti fluoride lobby to prevent any national policy on use of fluorides for controlling dental caries.
• Dental services & education very low on Govt. priority list
• One national and several specialty associations. Membership of Indian dental association is only about 7000.
• Only one national journal, infrequent publication and standard questionable.
• General dental practitioners poorly served-Intense need to have continuing education/distance learning programs to raise the level of their practice/knowledge.