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KARACHI, Feb 24: Almost 80 per cent of the oral cancerous lesions identified among people of Indo-Pak, can be attributed to the growing consumption of betel-leaf and betel-nuts and its bi-products.
Experts, addressing a session at the 28th Asia-Pacific Dental Congress here on Friday, explicitly discussed commonly identified conditions, including Oral submucous fibrosis, among people belonging to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
It was mentioned that oral submucous fibrosis was a pre- cancerous stage, which was not only registered among elderly people, but also among youth belonging to three countries as well as those of South-Asian origin settled in other parts of Asia-Pacific region.
Mentioning that the condition could be largely prevented, it was observed with serious concern that the commonest cancers in Pakistan include oral and pharyngeal cancers, caused due to use of betel nuts.
Betel nuts carry two lethal chemicals, one of which was is used in tannery units.
Another pertinent issue discussed during the session was ankylosis (jaw problem). It was stated that trauma /accidents, improper movement, developmental problems - often congenital in nature were contributory to “Ankylosis.”
The condition was cited to be increasingly witnessed among children and youth. Transplant of Condyles and Costochondral Grafting were discussed among varied interventions.
In case of accidents, it was stressed that victims must be immediately referred to a qualified professional and required intervention be ensured.
Dr Malcolm Harris from UK, Dr. S M Balaji from India and Dr Mahmood Haider from Pakistan, following their respective presentations, also answered questions raised by doctors and students present on the occasion.
DENTAL MELA: The Sindh Minister for Industries Adil Siddiqui on Friday inaugurated a three-day dental health mela, organized for general public and trade fair at Karachi Expo Centre. Both events are arranged as part of 28th Asia-Pacific Dental Congress which began in Karachi on Thursday.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Adil Siddiqui said modern technology was imperative to treat dental diseases and local manufacturers had improved quality and standard of their products, while Pakistan was being able to meet its own needs of modern technologies.
Public should be made aware of dental diseases and such activities be held on regular basis, he stressed and appreciated efforts of organizers, saying such a mega event was honour for the metropolis.
APDC secretary general Dr Ali Farhan Razi, Trade Fair Committee chairman Dr Feroz Jehangir, Dr Aqeel A Sheikh, Dr Fardeen Hasan, Dr Aizaz Khan, Dr Ahmed Bari and others were also present.
Over 150 local and international organisations are exhibiting their products and equipment used in diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases, which attracted local and foreign delegates.
In the dental health mela, students from Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Baqai Dental College, Dental College Jamshoro and other institutes have set up stalls to create awareness among visitors about dental diseases and their preventions. Free dental check-up facility was also available. A large numbers of people visited the dental health mela.
On the occasion, Dr Aqeel Sheikh said only three to four per cent population of the country had access to dental care and only 20 per cent people were aware of dental diseases.
There is only one dental surgeon for the population of over 15,000. Almost 80 per cent of dental diseases are prevalent only because of lack of awareness among general public, while pan, supari, gutka etc were spreading the disease, he told the participants.
He suggested that every person should get his or her dental check-up on regular intervals of six months.
Earlier, several scientific sessions were held, in which experts shared their knowledge on dental diseases.—APP/PPI
