Spreading smiles
and enhancing
oral health

About IAPHD

Enhancing the discipline of
Public health dentistry in India

In the early 1990's, a small group of like-minded public health dentistry professionals shared a common dream of enhancing the discipline of Public health dentistry in India. They felt the need for providing a common platform for exchange of views and information and development of meaningful and effective preventive programs for the community. India is a developing country with multi religious, multi ethnic, multi linguistic communities where 70% of the population reside in rural areas but are being served by only 20% of the health care professionals. So there is a severe misdistribution of health care services, resources and infrastructure. Also, most of the health care facilities, including oral health, are oriented towards curative aspects than prevention or health promotion. This has resulted in a larger portion of the community, especially in the rural areas, being neglected. Hence there was an urgent need to address this problem. This need culminated in the formation of the INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY ,with the aim of enhancing oral health of the Indian community through team efforts, in 1993.( Registration Number No.777/93-94). Started with only 24 members today the membership strength is 1600!

WHO WE ARE

Our team works in public health departments and provides information on oral health and services to the public. 70% of India’s population is rural and needs to be aware of health in all aspects and is being served only by 20% of the healthcare officials. The Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry takes up the challenge to upgrade complete health for the public with the growth and support of oral health campaigns and promotion of disease prevention. The association was started with a social agenda, to help the public understand that basic oral health directly links to overall health. Having good oral health leads to a healthy life.