DHAK promises “Oral Health Coverage” to the most needy citizens KARACHI- The Dental Hygienists who have recently graduated from a 4-year accredited Dental Hygiene programme of Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences (DIKIOHS), in Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, held a meeting and announced the launch of “Dental Hygienists Association Karachi” (DHAK). Ms Anum Khursheed – President of DHAK, stated that; We are striving to provide a platform for the Dental Hygienists to provide community services in collaboration with other medical and dental associations and allied industries, to ensure a higher standard of Oral Healthcare across the nation. Ms Anum further said that; the oral health needs of a large number of Pakistanis are being ignored. They are unable to access professional dental care due to low awareness, insufficient income, remote geographic location, or a myriad of other barriers to care. The DHAK promises “Oral Health Coverage” to millions of deprived citizens, mostly children, while inadequate funding betrays that promise. Sidra Maqsood - Vice President of DHAK highlighted the objective of the association. She stated that Dental Hygienists can provide free basic dental care to hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged people each year, through their association's volunteer programs all over Pakistan. Ms Madiha Shabbir - General Secretary DHAK, responded to a question saying; Our association members will deliver free Dental health awareness programmes and Missions of Mercy. Since we all know that; neglect of dental care can have serious consequences on human health, like; dental decay, inflammation and loss of teeth, increasing the risk of malnutrition. Gum-diseases also increase the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Easy access to affordable preventive dental care - in the form of regular checkups and cleanings by dentists or dental hygienists, can help to improve the quality of life for the common people. Madiha also briefed that the DHAK platform will provide clinical services in a variety of settings, such as private dental practice, community health settings, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, schools, faculty practice clinics, federal government and provincial health facilities. In addition to clinical practice, there are career opportunities for them in education, research, sales, marketing, public health, administration and the government sector. In the end Ms Tooba Ashfaq - Joint Secretary (DHAK), thanked the participants for supporting and joining the association as members, to devise better ways of delivering dental health care to the nation.
