(From left) Dentists Surendra Prasad, Narendra Prasad and Amlesh Kumar at the seminar in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Sept. 19: Regular check-ups and preventive measures are keys to good oral health, said dentists participating in a conference held in the capital today.

Around 50 dentists from Bihar and Jharkhand took part in the third Continuing Dental Education conference of Indian Dental Association, Bihar, at the SCADA Business Centre today.

They discussed common dental problems among children and the preventive measures necessary to maintain oral health.

Renowned surgeon Narendra Prasad inaugurated the conference. Addressing the dentists at the conference, Prasad said: “In the recent past, dentistry has developed immensely. Many changes have been introduced in the practice. Dentistry is a very delicate profession. Doctors need to treat patients with great care. Earning money cannot be the only reason to opt for dentistry as a profession.”

Mumbai-based pedodontist Ashwin Jawdekar gave a lecture on oral health for children. He dwelled on how a conducive environment can be created to treat children better.

Jawdekar, who is also an associate professor at Navi Mumbai Dental College, said: “What we should focus more on is the frequency at which children consume drinks with high sugar content. Parents should try to minimise the consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, sweets, chocolates and cakes. Fresh vegetables and fruits are healthier alternatives. Water is the best alternative to sugary drinks.”

Indian Dental Association, Bihar secretary Amlesh Kumar spoke on the scientific programmes being launched by the association.

He also deliberated on an oral health programme to be conducted in the months of September and October. In this programme, doctors will provide free dental checkups.

He said the constant effort by the association led to a lot of activities, like free dental check up and oral health programmes for schoolchildren.

Kumar said: “Prevention is the key to oral health in children. Baby teeth require as much care as adult teeth. Filling tooth cavity is a preventive treatment widely used to help cover the biting surfaces of the permanent molar teeth. This helps to prevent food, that could potentially cause decay, from getting stuck in these areas.”

Indian Dental Association president Surendra Prasad said: “Children must be properly instructed about how to brush teeth. Brushing is a habit that must be inculcated from an early age.”

Buddha Dental College student Kanchan Kumari said: “I am an intern and intend to learn many thing about this profession. Attending such conferences help me to understand the field with a broader perspective.”