Experts at the UP Dental Show, held in Lucknow by the UP Dental Association, disclosed that almost 50% of the patients who come to them with all sorts of dental problems are victims of dentophobia or the irrational fear of visiting a dentist. This common yet often most underrated phobia prompts many people to avoid required dental treatments and instead pop painkillers to alleviate their suffering. This not only worsens their dental health but also jeopardizes their general health because prolonged use of painkillers can cause damage to their livers.

Dentophobia is widespread in UP, says Professor Ramesh Bharti, a prominent Faculty Member of the Dental Department at KGMU and the co-organizing secretary for this event. He added that roughly half the population in the state suffers from dental phobia, 20% of whom suffer from an extreme form of this phobia. "The reason for these phobias, he said, "is basically linked to various myths which have been prevailing and revolve around the pain associated with different dental procedures such as extraction of teeth and root canal. However, what most patients do not know is that dental practices today are very different from what people perceive them to be.". "Dentists first spray the area that has to be treated and then an anesthetic injection is injected. So, it is almost painless. "

Another prominent speaker at the seminar was Dr. Rumpa Wig, who spoke about laser applications in dental care in great detail. "Lasers are a big leap in dental treatment, she said. Being almost painless, it is very effective in treating non-healing oral ulcers and maintaining oral hygiene in cancer patients. "For example, the bacteria causing an ulcer in the mouth can be killed within a mere ten seconds using laser technology, and the ulcer would heal within a day. In oral cancer patients, laser treatments allow for infection prevention and faster healing of wounds compared to the conventional surgical way. This will change their chances and the entire experience of the feel."

Dr. Sanjeev Srivastava, Hon. President, IDA Lucknow, went on to strongly caution people against getting dental treatment done by quacks or unqualified dental practitioners. Such incompletely or sub-standardly done procedures by quacks lead to recurring problems and further complications in dental trouble. "Proper homework on the credentials of their dental care provider must be done by the patients," urged Dr. Srivastava. "Untreated dental problems can lead to lasting long-term health complications; for this reason, proper treatment should be sought after by a qualified dentist."

The leading event at the UP Dental Show, a conclave of its own, was that of the Women Dental Council presiding over discussions on the special dental and general physical problems women face during pregnancy and menopause. With a view to providing specialized care, it announced free dental camps for women in every district in UP every two months. "These camps will specifically address common issues like pyorrhoea, gingivitis in pregnant women, and cavities among the other dental problems," said Dr Shaza Hamid, joint organizing secretary and chairperson of WDC Lucknow. "It is our intention to ensure that dental care should be readily available and of good quality to the women, so they can have attention and be treated at this crucial stage of their lives."

Such an event, the UP Dental Show, was a mammoth program with the participation of not less than 1,700 dental health professionals. Key speakers like Dr. Rajeev Singh, Dr. Rakesh Yadav, Dr. Ashish Khare, and many others came together to share their experiences, new techniques, and practical knowledge. One of the key learnings from them was that continuing education is in dire need with possible innovation in dental care since dental practices were being changed a lot. It is quintessentially important to tackle fear in patients' minds and misconceptions regarding therapies related to oral care.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Prerna Lal/MSM)