Oral Health Centre: Ushering Change and Transforming Lives

Operated by Trinity Care Foundation, the oral health centre in the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Doddamaralawadi in Kanakapura Taluk is a real game changer

It’s 12:30 p.m. on a hot summer afternoon. There’s no time for Dr. Asha to relax. There are a slew of patients waiting their turn outside the swanky oral health centre in the Primary Health Care Centre in Doddamaralawadi in Kanakapura Taluk, Karnataka. After all, it is the only oral health centre in the area, providing dental care services to 12000-13000 people residing in the surrounding villages.

Sixty-five-year-old Munirathamma (name changed), accompanied by her daughter-in-law, is complaining of excruciating discomfort in her mouth that has persisted for several days. Dr. Asha instructs her to lie down on the treatment chair for examination. She is jittery and visibly uncomfortable as the doctor examines her teeth. Dr. Asha verifies, peering into the dental mirror, that several teeth fractured into tiny fragments are the cause of the problem. “These small pieces are hurting and causing her pain. We have to remove these small pieces and then refer her to another hospital for replacement. Without treatment, they can turn into wounds, which can further lead to complications. But did you notice how hesitant she was to let me examine her? She thought I was going to do a procedure right away. The awareness levels are extremely low, which is why this oral health centre is a much-needed step,” expresses Dr. Asha

Operated by the Trinity Care Foundation in 2021, the oral health centre is indeed a blessing to patients like Munirathamma and many more like her. Until 2021, those suffering from dental issues had to either travel 30 km to Kanakapura Government Hospital or 50 km to Ramanagara Government Hospital to seek even basic treatment.

The well-appointed centre is capable of carrying out tooth extraction, abscess drainage, scaling, dental fillings, and pulpotomy (a surgical procedure wherein a tooth's pulp in the crown is removed to prevent decay or infection) for children.

In 2021, Hindol Das and Shilpa Motghare, the authors of a report published in the International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research, stated that India is the country with the highest number of instances of oral cancer globally and has gained the moniker "The Oral Cancer Capital of the World."

Oral cancer among men lends much of the weight to the cancer burden in India, along with lung, mouth, stomach, colorectum, and esophagus, whereas it is a common cancer among women too, along with those of the breast, cervix and ovary. Even though Karnataka has banned gutka and other chewing tobacco products, oral cancer is particularly prevalent in the state. It reportedly accounts for 7.4% of the total cancers in the state. The fact that Karnataka is the third largest tobacco growing state doesn’t help the cause either.

About Us:

Trinity Care Foundation (TCF)?a 16-year old Non-Governmental Organization, has the Trust?registration, PAN, TAN,?12AB,?80G, Professional tax and?and FCRA along with CSR Form 1 under MCA. It is registered with NITI Aayog, Government of India.?TCF has registered with?Ministry of Corporate Affairs?for undertaking?Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?activities and the registration number is?CSR00003858.

We would be delighted to discuss further details and explore how we can work together to create a lasting impact on society. Please feel free to contact us to schedule a meeting or request additional information.?Connect with us at ( [email protected] )

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