Kathmandu, March 20

Dental surgeons have accused the government of neglecting dental health.

Speaking at a programme organised by Nepal Dental Association on the occasion of World Oral Health Day in Kathmandu today, NDA General Secretary Manoj Humagain said the government had ignored the dental health sector despite it being essential for public health.

Dr Saili Pradhan, dental health focal person at Bir Hospital, said the government had failed to implement the National Oral Health Policy 2070 even three years after the policy was made. According to Pradhan, each Primary Health Centre should be provided with a dental surgeon as per the policy. However, lack of its implementation has deprived people, especially from rural areas, of dental health services.

Also speaking at the programme, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun claimed that dental health services as well as dental surgeons in the country were world-class. He said, “Nepalis don’t need to go abroad for dental health services. We have exceptional dentists in our country.”

Suggesting that all Nepalis maintain basic oral health, Pun also directed the Health Ministry to implement the oral health policy pronto.

On the occasion, Nepal Dental Association took out a rally to spread awareness about the importance of oral health for healthy life.