To strengthen the delivery of dental health services in the state of Punjab, a quarterly dental review meeting cum induction training was organised for the newly designated district nodal officers (DNOs) under National Oral Health Program (NOHP) Punjab at the office of Director Health Services Punjab.The review meeting was jointly presided over by Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Adarshpal Kaur and Director Health Services (FW) Dr. Ravinder Pal Kaur.
The objective of the meeting was to review the quarterly progress of all districts in regard to oral health awareness activities as well as dental procedures done across all dental OPDs. In her address, Dr Adarshpal kaur exhorted all the District Dental Health Officers (DDHOs) and DNOs from all 23 districts to carry out opportunistic screening of oral cancer on priority basis and they should also ensure timely reporting in all dental OPDs.
She also emphasized that induction training should also be completed for senior MO Dental, who are going to be promoted as DDHOs. Underlining the need of awareness activities in oral health care, she asked the dental health officials to intensify Information Education Communication/Behaviour Change Communication (IEC/BCC) in the field.
During the day an induction training was also conducted for district nodal officers under the national oral health program, Punjab, where in lecture presentation was given on the basics of NOHP, district PIP formulation and edant seva portal.
Deputy Director (Dental) Dr Surinder Mall and SNO (NOHP) Punjab Dr Navroop Kaur were also present in the quarterly review meeting.