The Dental Department is a specialist area of a Healthcare facility that is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention of oral health problems, along with effective oral health research. Dental Specialist, Dental Surgeons and Dental Hygienists collaborate to offer patients a variety of services, from routine teeth cleanings with oral hygiene instructions, teeth fillings, teeth extractions and more difficult operations like root canal treatment (RCT), denture fabrication, crown and bridge placement, orthodontics consultation with treatment, dental implants, community oral health outreach programs and oral health research.
The Dental department’s primary focus is on offering patients specialized curative treatment on oral health care. Standard procedures and services provided by B. P. Eye Foundation, CHEERS Dental department:
1) Dental examinations: Dental surgeons do routine examinations to assess oral health and identify conditions such as gum disease and cavities, among other things.
2) Oral prophylaxis (teeth cleaning): To stop conditions like dental cavities and gum disease, professional cleanings involve removing stains, plaque and calculus from teeth.
3) Cavity Treatment: To cure dental caries, a dental cavity is cleaned and then filled with composite resin or glass ionomer cement.
4) Root Canal Therapy: This procedure is done when teeth are decayed and pulp becomes infected. After removing the diseased pulp from the teeth, the dental surgeon fills the teeth with appropriate material.
5) Crowns and Bridges placement: These crown restorations [Metal, PFM (porcelain fused to metal), Zirconia] restore function and appearance by covering damaged teeth after proper treatment to it.
6) Dental Implants: Dental implants, which are inserted into the jawbone and covered with a crown, can be used to replace missing teeth.
7) Orthodontic Treatment: To straighten, mal-aligned teeth and address bite problems, Orthodontic braces are offered, by the Specialist Dental Surgeon.
8) Prosthetic Dentistry: To replace the missing teeth with Removable Partial Denture (RPD) Fixed Partial Denture (FPD) and Complete Denture (CD).
9) Periodontal Therapy: To keep gums healthy, Dental surgeons treat gums (gingiva) conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis.
10) Oral and Maxillofacial Department: It specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the face, jaw, and mouth. It works closely with other specialties such as prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, pedodontics, endodontics, oral medicine radiology and otolaryngology to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex conditions in the head and neck region.
Detailed description of the common treatments provided:
a) Dental Extractions – This department performs complex tooth extractions, including impacted teeth or teeth that are difficult to remove.
b) Orthognathic Surgery – Orthognathic surgery is used to correct jaw abnormalities, such as misaligned jaws, overbites, underbites, and other related issues. c) Temporo-mandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders – Treatments for TMJ disorders include medication, physical therapy, splints or in severe cases, surgery. d) Facial Trauma – The department treats facial injuries like fractures of the jaw and cheekbones.
e) Oral Pathology – Diagnosis and management of abnormal growths or lesions in the mouth, including oral cancer.
f) Corrective Jaw Surgery – This involves surgical correction of abnormalities in the jaw structure to improve function and appearance.
Preventive oral health treatment, on the other hand, aims to preserve good oral health and avoid future dental problems. This includes Oral prophylaxis, Topical fluoride applications, Pit and Fissure sealant application, Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) and Instruction to maintain good oral hygiene. Patients who take a proactive approach to oral health can lower their chances of getting cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues.
These programs often involve a team of dental professionals, volunteers or organizations working together to provide dental services, education and resources to individuals who may not have easy access to regular dental care.
Key components included in oral health outreach community camps and programs: 1) Static Outreach Clinic (SORC) – This serves as a fixed location where specialist dental surgeon provide preventive services, screenings, treatments and education related to oral health. It offers services such as regular check-ups, screenings for dental diseases, oral health awareness counseling, treatment for minor ailments and educational sessions on maintaining good dental health.
2) Day Screening Treatment Services (DSTS) – During these services, specialist dental surgeon conduct screenings to identify potential oral health issues in individuals related to their dental health. These screenings are often accompanied by immediate treatment if accessible and referrals for further care if necessary. The program provides community members with the opportunity to have their oral health concerns addressed efficiently, receive proper diagnosis and treatment and access ongoing support in maintaining good oral health and hygiene.
3) School Health Program (SHP)– This program is designed to promote the oral health and well-being of students by providing comprehensive oral healthcare services within the school setting. Children undergo regular oral health screening to detect any potential issues early on and receive prompt treatment or referrals for further care if needed. Additionally, the program offers oral health education sessions that focus on promoting proper tooth brushing technique and preventive measures to reduce the risk of dental diseases.
These services are typically provided by specialist dental surgeons, dental surgeons and dental hygienists. The program not only aims to address immediate oral health needs but also works towards fostering a culture of oral health awareness and proactive oral health management among school children.
4) Oral Healthcare Training Program – The program focuses on providing comprehensive oral health education and skills development for healthcare workers in dental-related problems. Participants have the opportunity to gain experience through supervised clinical rotations, simulation exercises and procedural workshops. This practical hands on training approach allows healthcare workers to develop clinical skills, enhance diagnostic proficiency and master certain treatment techniques under the guidance of specialist dental mentor. By investing in education and professional development, the department aim to build a skilled workforce capable of making a positive impact on oral health and well-being of our communities.
The Dental Department also conducts various research studies related to oral health. These research activities aim to improve the understanding of dental health issues, develop new treatment modalities and enhance preventive measures to promote better oral health in the community.
Key areas of research include:
1) Studying the prevalence and risk factors of dental diseases such as cavities, periodontal disease and oral cancer.
2) Evaluating the effectiveness of different treatment modalities for various dental conditions.
3) Investigating the impact of lifestyle factors like diet, use of smoking and smokeless tobacco and oral hygiene practices on oral health.
4) Exploring advancements in dental technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence in the field of dentistry.
5) Assessing the effectiveness of community-based oral health programs and interventions.
Through these research efforts, the dental department aims to contribute valuable insights to the field of dentistry, improve patient care and ultimately enhance the overall oral health and well-being of human beings.
