Bhubaneswar, Sep 24: Prof. (Dr.) Susant Mohanty, Head of Pediatrics and Preventive Dentistry at the Institute of Dental Sciences (IDS), faculty of dental sciences of SOA Deemed to be University, has been elected President of the Indian Society of Pediatrics and Preventive Dentistry (ISPPD).
Prof. Mohanty assumed the prestigious position at the 47th National Conference of ISPPD held recently in New Delhi. He succeeded immediate past President Prof. Sudhindra Baliga and was formally collared by ISPPD Honorary Secretary General Prof. (Dr.) Varinder Goyal.
In his presidential address, Prof. Mohanty outlined his vision for the professional body and stressed the need for greater collaboration among dental professionals, obstetricians, pediatricians and workers involved in maternal and community health.
Highlighting the importance of maternal oral healthcare, he said pregnant women should not have to navigate separate healthcare systems for oral and general health. He emphasised that maintaining good oral health during pregnancy is important and can have implications for the child’s future oral health trajectory.
Prof. Mohanty also highlighted the need to align research priorities with national and regional healthcare requirements. He said research should focus particularly on evidence gaps that have the potential to contribute to improved healthcare policies and clinical practices.
Another area he identified for attention was the comprehensive management of children with multiple oral health problems under general anesthesia. Such an approach, he said, could enable children requiring multiple procedures to receive comprehensive care rather than undergoing fragmented interventions.
He further noted that these cases could provide valuable training opportunities for interns and postgraduate students in comprehensive diagnosis, treatment planning and multidisciplinary patient management.
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