Delhi government opens national resource centre for oral health, tobacco cessation

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain inaugurated the National Resource Centre for Oral Health and Tobacco Cessation (NRC-OH-TC), and the city government claimed that it was the "first" such facility in the country.

New Delhi: The Delhi government has opened a national resource centre for oral health and tobacco cessation to create awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco and drugs. The centre will provide better training to dentists and conduct research on dental healthcare, said a PTI report citing officials.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain inaugurated the National Resource Centre for Oral Health and Tobacco Cessation (NRC-OH-TC), and the city government claimed that it was "first" such facility in the country.

According to the statement, the centre has been "established with the objective of spreading awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco and drugs, to provide better training to the dentists of the country and to conduct research on dental health", adding "It is the first national resource centre among the total 315 dental colleges in the country."

Launching the official logo of the NRC-OH-TC, the minister said that most of the people are still not aware about their oral health and dental hygiene, and this is the reason why the cases of oral cancer are increasing rapidly, even among the youth.

"Every year more than seven million deaths occur due to tobacco use alone across the world. This is an alarming signal for the people. Nicotine found in tobacco is very harmful to health and well-being. Due to its consumption, there is a possibility of dangerous diseases like cancer, depression, impotence, but people are still finding it difficult to stay away from consuming tobacco. Tobacco use weakens the brain and nervous system," the statement quoting Jain said.