TV9 Network & Sensodyne raise importance of oral health with Oral Health Summit

New Delhi, 20th March 2023: TV9 Network with its pan India presence has a deep connection with healthcare professionals across the country. And over the last three years, the network has built its trust among viewers with an array of programmes and initiatives dedicated to providing structured information in the healthcare space.

“In the post-Covid world, we have seen people prioritizing their health and fitness. However, oral health rarely features in popular discourse. That’s why TV9 Network has partnered with industry thought leader Sensodyne to raise awareness on oral hygiene,” said Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer (Broadcasting & Digital), TV9 Network.

Talking about the Network’s commitment to mainstreaming oral healthcare in the country, he said: “In the run-up to the World Oral Health Day, we along with Sensodyne brought together leading practitioners from the industry on one platform – Oral Health Summit 2023. It’s very encouraging to see India’s best oral health experts joining the cause.”

Speaking at the Summit, Navneet Saluja, General Manager, BU – India Sub-continent, Haleon said: “I extend my congratulations to the TV9 team for this partnership – Oral Health Summit – and giving a platform to experts from the dentist fraternity, and eminent government official to engage in a dialogue on how to improve access to oral health and normalising oral care through education. Under the ‘Be Sensitive to Oral Health’ campaign for World Oral Health Day, Sensodyne India aims to enable 100,000 dental check-ups across the country. We value our partnership with Indian Dental Association to conduct mega camps for oral health screening and education across the country.”

The guest of honour, Dr L Swasticharan, additional DDG & director (Emergency Medical Relief), DGHS, MoHFW, Government of India, spoke about the various initiatives the government has taken to make oral health accessible and affordable.

The Ministry of Health is preparing to mark World Oral Health Day with month-long events in all dental colleges across the nation. This will contribute to raising awareness of the significance of oral hygiene, highlighted Dr Swasticharan. He said, “The mouth is the mirror of the body. Thus, it is crucial to take good care of our dental health. Our lifestyle habits, such as the use of tobacco in both smoking and smokeless forms, are one of the main causes of the most common oral health issues.”

Other experts including, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree Awardee, Brig Dr Anil Kohli, Former President, Dental Council of India (DCI), Dr Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and Dr Ritu Duggal, chief, Centre for Dental Education & Research, AIIMS were present at the event.

Dr Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, of the Indian Dental Association (IDA) shed light on improving the oral health conditions of the people in the country & role of the association in accelerating the development of dentistry in India.

Also among the dignitaries at the Summit were Dr Sunita Gupta, senior professor and HOD, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences and Dr Anil Kumar Chandna, professor & director (PG Studies) Institute of Dental Sciences Executive Committee Members, Dental Council of India.

Dr Bela Jain, who is the chairman of dentistry at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi and Dr Amrita Gogia, Head – of Dental Sciences, Medanta Hospital were also in attendance at the event, and they spoke widely about the need for a proper oral care regimen in India.

Dr Gautam Khatak, HOD, of the Dental Department at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Dr Rajiv Kumar Chugh, president of the Indian Dental Association and Dr Sharad Kapoor, member, of the Dental Council of India also shared their valuable insights on the importance of dental healthcare in the country.

Apart from the interesting sessions, the event was also graced by industry veterans like Dr Y K Virmani proprietor, Dr Virmani Dental Centre, Secretary General, International College of Dentists, Dr Anupam Bhargava, consulting Endodontist & Dental Surgeon, Santosh Dental Clinic and Dr Seema Sharma- Director & Senior Consultant, Focus Dental was also present at the event to share their knowledge, views, and vision on Oral health care.

The august gathering deliberated on the significance of the day celebrated for the propagation of oral hygiene. They also spoke about the necessity of dental care and why people should all be very careful about dental health.