Need for Project SMILE
Oral health plays a significant role in overall health and well-
being. India's oral health profile has seen considerable changes in the past few decades. However, while many countries have shown improvement in various oral health indicators, the same does not hold true for India. Oral diseases are caused by a range of modifiable risk factors, including sugar consumption, tobacco use, alcohol use, and poor hygiene. These diseases can lead to a number of systemic diseases, such as an increased cardiac risk, difficulty in managing diabetes, non-healing ulcers of the
mouth leading to oral cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease.
Economic Impact of Poor Oral Health
The loss of productivity due to dental ailments is significant. According to the World Economic Forum, the economic impact of unmanaged oral health disorders is a staggering $54 billion in lost productivity to employers annually. (2020)
Oral Cancer Burden
Oral Cancer is another Silent Epidemic in India. It is the sixth most common type of cancer globally, and India contributes to almost one-third of the total burden. In fact, India has the highest number of Lip and oral cancer cases in the world.
The Burden of Oral Cancer can have a devastating impact on the economy of our country. It can not only put a strain on our healthcare system but can also cause significant disability for individuals, sometimes leading to pre-mature death.