SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today held an in-depth discussion with Dr. V.K. Paul, Member NITI Aayog, on strategies to improve accessibility and availability of dental healthcare services across J&K. The meeting was coordinated by Health & Medical Education Secretary Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah and attended by principals of dental colleges and other concerned officers.
During the deliberations, the Chief Secretary highlighted key challenges in the dental health sector, including the absence of services at New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs), shortage of essential equipment, inadequate infrastructure, and limited availability of dental specialists. He noted that the high prevalence of oral diseases often leads to excessive referrals to tertiary institutions, placing additional strain on higher healthcare facilities.
Dr. V.K. Paul commended the UT Government’s efforts and assured NITI Aayog’s support in formulating a comprehensive plan to modernize and strengthen oral healthcare delivery.
The meeting outlined a multi-pronged approach, including increasing staffing at all healthcare levels, deploying mobile dental units to remote areas, establishing dental clinics through Public-Private Partnerships, and promoting tele-consultation and tele-dentistry for pre- and post-operative care, emergency triage, and chronic condition management.
Community-level initiatives were also emphasized, such as school oral health programs, oral hygiene and tobacco cessation awareness drives, integration of dental check-ups with general health camps, and expansion of home-based services in partnership with professional bodies. The Chief Secretary stressed that tele-dentistry could significantly reduce patient travel, provide timely expert guidance, and enhance patient education, especially in hilly and border regions.
Policy and funding strategies were also discussed, focusing on establishing specialized dental education institutions in remote areas, bridging skill gaps, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of oral health initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building a robust, patient-friendly, and equitable dental healthcare ecosystem in J&K.
