ASIA/INDIA - Street dentists for the poor: a widespread service

Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) - A group of non-specialized dentists have organized themselves to work on the streets in some small Indian cities offering very low rates for the poorest people. Ignoring noisy buses and curious onlookers, these street dentists carry out their work undisturbed in Bangladore, although this is not hygienic. There are millions of poor people in the Country who cannot pay for expensive dental treatment. Tools are thoroughly washed in soap and water – but not disinfected. The teeth in all shapes and sizes are made in China and in India from dental cement.
In big cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai, street dentist numbers have dwindled in recent years on growing awareness of contracting HIV/AIDS and other diseases, rising customer income levels, and a surge in dentist graduates. But they still thrive in smaller cities as well as towns, although few perform root canals, fillings or other operations. The Indian Dental Association, a private body of licensed dentists, still does not have figures on qualified dentists in India. It is estimated that each year 30,000 graduates join the profession every year, but India still has only one dentist per 10,000 people in urban areas and about 250,000 in rural areas.
From dentists to shoe shiners, barbers and chefs, street services are an engrained part of life in India, particularly for the poor. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 29/05/2015)