Senior citizens of BPL families get a reason to smile

In a proposal targeted at the senior citizens belonging to below poverty line (BPL) families,the Himachal Pradesh government has planned to offer free denture replacement and dental treatment across 100 health institutions of the state.

In a proposal targeted at the senior citizens belonging to below poverty line (BPL) families,the Himachal Pradesh government has planned to offer free denture replacement and dental treatment across 100 health institutions of the state.

The project,Happy Smile,has been approved by the Centre and is in the last stage of being finalised for implementation.

Looking at the high cost of complete denture replacement,the dental health services department decided to provide these free to members of BPL families,said a senior official. Those listed under the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) are also likely to be included in the lost of beneficiaries later.

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The scheme was discussed at a meeting of health officials with Health Minister Rajeev Bindal and others on Wednesday.

As many as 174 health institutions currently have dental mechanics as well as medical officers (dental). Of these,100 institutions will provide this facility.

The scheme is expected to be announced in the coming financial year.

The school dental health programme of the department,for children between six to 12 years,has also brought out data about poor dental health awareness in rural as well as urban areas.

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According to records of the department,of the 1.6 lakh children covered under the programme,at least 86,000 were referred to dental clinics in hospitals for regular treatment.

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