Challenges and Opportunities of Public Health Dentistry in India: A Narrative Review

Oral health is fundamental to overall well-being, as it influences physical health, social confidence, mental stability, and daily functioning. Public Health Dentistry (PHD) addresses oral health at the population level by developing strategies to improve access and outcomes. This narrative review examines the current state, challenges, and opportunities in PHD in India. It incorporates peerreviewed literature as well as policy documents and strategic reports from relevant government health agencies and professional dental organisations to ensure contextual relevance and completeness. The review highlights key areas, including workforce distribution, oral health awareness, mobile dental services, and community outreach. However, persistent challenges such as insufficient manpower, limited funding and a lack of integrated policies continue to pose significant obstacles. Disparities in access to dental care between urban and rural areas underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these inequities. The review emphasises the importance of a robust national oral health policy, integrating oral health care into general health services, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Newer techniques, such as teledentistry and mobile health applications, have the potential to address service deficiencies, particularly in remote or isolated areas. Enhancing community-based oral health education and targeted prevention can lead to lasting improvements in population oral health. Coordinated action among government agencies, academic institutions, and local health systems is crucial to maintain service delivery that is reliable, accessible, and sustainable. A community-centered and equitable approach is essential for reducing the prevalence of oral illnesses in India. Overall, aligning public health priorities with oral health needs can contribute to meaningful and long-term improvements in national health outcomes.