FDI World Dental Federation, the leading international body representing dental profession, today launched its online database for oral health and related information, according to a PTI report.
The FDI Data Hub centralises information derived from a number of authoritative sources into a single global database easily accessible in one place to a wide audience, FDI World Dental Federation said.
"The purpose is to enable organisations, policy makers and dentists among others to assess the needs for oral health intervention," Former Chair of the FDI Scientific Committee Michael Glick told PTI.
It would enable formulate policies based on relevant data, he added.
Commenting on the initiative, Indian Dental Association Honorary Secretary General Ashok Dhoble said: "Having access to a reliable source of information that monitors trends and assesses progress of dental health indicators is key to improving oral health outcomes and for implementing national healthcare strategies and plans."
This would help in guiding the patients and the governments on the problems, it is important as most of these diseases are preventable, he added.
In India, oral health is a critical but overlooked component of overall health and well-being among children and adults, FDA World Dental Federation said in a statement.
"There is a need to bring down the incidence of oral and dental diseases to less than 40 per cent of existing levels," it added.
The FDI Data Hub has been developed under the umbrella of Vision 2020: FDI's guidelines to shaping the future of oral health. It would to fill critical gaps in oral health data, such as statistics and indicators, including regular country- by-country updates.
FDI World Dental Federation is principal representative body for over 1 million dentists worldwide. Its membership includes nearly 200 national member associations and specialist groups from well over 130 countries.
