ANNUAL HEALTH BULLETIN 2004 - Ministry of Health

Oral health is an important component of general health services in Bhutan. It has also
become clear now that causative or risk factors in oral diseases are often the same as
those implicated in major general diseases. Thus, oral health promotion .nd oral
diseases prevention should embrace what is termed "the common risk factor approach",
leading to the integration of oral health promotion" into a broader health promotion.
Diseases like oral cancers, pre-malignant lesions like sub-mucosal fibrosis, lichen
planus, luekoplakia etc. can also be prevented.
OHP started in the early eighties but due to manpower and financial constraints, nothing
significant was carried out. However, due to the widespread prevalence of oral diseases
across the population, oral health programme was recognized under the umbrella of
WHO assisted programmes. Doctors posted in dental units, who also have clinical
obligations, look after the programme. Till date there is no one appointed as programme
manager for oral health programme.
1. Oral surgeon: 1
2. Dental surgeons: National: 6, Expatriates: 4 .
3 are undergoing P.G. studies.
3. Dental hygienists: 32
4. Dental technicians: 14
5. Dental assistants: 2
The over all objective of the OHP is to provide basic oral health services to all the
Bhutanese people.
• Capacity building:
This is focused on the training of trainers, dental hygienists and dental auxiliary
staffs in basic community and preventive dentistry to update knowledge, skills
and confidence.
• Reaching the unreachedlhard to reach population
A team in 1999 and 2000 visited Gasa to carry out dental check up and
treatment. A team also visits Laya & Lingshi yearly for dental check up and
treatment.
• Promotion of awareness on common oral and peri:6dontal diseases, oral cancers
and basic dietary and social behavioral preventive measures through appropriate
IEC media.