FJDC experts advise early care to avoid oral health complexities

KARACHI: Speaking at a recent one-day symposium held at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) senior dental professionals highlighted risk factors of oral cancer, including tobacco use and emphasised the need for early intervention to prevent later oral health complications.

Dr Hussain Askary, CEO and Head of Community Dentistry, FJDC, termed oral cancer a growing public health concern and highlighted some significant points, including high mortality rate, rising incidence, impact on quality of life, preventable risk factors, early detection and innovative screening techniques.

He emphasised that dental students and educators must join the fight against oral cancer because they have a strong knowledge of oral health and a relationship with the community.

He was of the view that dental students and educators have a unique set of skills, expertise, and interaction with patients, enabling them to contribute effectively towards the fight against oral cancer, not only through treatment, but also by raising awareness and promoting prevention efforts.

Prof Dr Babur Ashraf, Vice-Principle and Head of Orthodontics Department, FJDC, spoke about preventive orthodontics, which plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health and preventing potential dental issues before they arise.

He highlighted that this branch of orthodontics focuses on early identification and treatment of dental problems, ultimately reducing the need for extensive treatments in the future.

He stressed that serial extraction is a preventive technique that is used to address dental crowding and promote proper alignment. It involves the strategic removal of certain primary teeth to create space for

permanent teeth. By removing specific primary teeth at precise times during dental development, orthodontists can guide the proper alignment of permanent teeth, preventing more severe crowding issues in the future, he added.

He also spoke about space maintenance, which is another vital aspect of preventive orthodontics, involving the use of dental appliances, such as space maintainers, to preserve adequate spacing for incoming permanent teeth. These appliances hold the space left by prematurely lost primary teeth, preventing adjacent teeth from shifting into the space and causing misalignment or crowding.

He said that by incorporating such preventive measures into orthodontic care, patients can achieve optimal dental health and reduce the likelihood of more complex orthodontic issues later in life.

Early intervention, coupled with proper oral hygiene practices, also improves overall well-being and reduces the need for invasive orthodontic treatments down the road.