Kathmandu, March 20 Many people in the country are at high risk of heart related diseases, respiratory problems, diabetes and osteoporosis, among others, due to lack of awareness of oral hygiene. According to doctors, oral health problems can have serious consequences, especially on pregnant women and their foetus. “Nearly 25 to 30 per cent people in the country face severe health problems due to lack of awareness of oral health. “Oral health problems are emerging as a serious threat to public health,” said Dr Prakash Budhathoki, a dentist. “Maintaining oral health is very important as it helps protect our body from possible infection,” he said, adding that the number of patients suffering from gum problems and mouth ulcer was increasing in the country. Dr Budhathoki, who is also the chief of Oral Health Section at Department of Health Services, informed that in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population, OHC was planning to make oral health check-up mandatory for pregnant women, along with antenatal check-up. “We are planning to set up oral health section in all public health centres of the local levels,” he said and added that oral health was a  part  of basic health service and the government must make people aware of oral health.