The OHO project is designed to address the critical needs in the field of oral health
Haleon, erstwhile GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, is proud to announce the commencement of the groundbreaking Oral Health Observatory (OHO) project, in collaboration with the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) and the Indian Dental Association (IDA). This project aims to revolutionise the understanding of India’s oral healthcare sector by delving into real-world observational data to uncover insights crucial for informed policymaking and advocacy.
The OHO project is designed to address the critical needs in the field of oral health. The last national-level oral health survey was conducted in 2004, leading to a substantial gap in updated data on the overall oral disease burden in India and the formulation of effective healthcare programs. The OHO project seeks to bridge this gap by analysing behaviour and practices, challenges, clinical and dental practices, and disease prevalence through its robust dataset of 1500 participants.
The OHO highlights data and insights with respect to oral care and hygiene habits of Indians, challenges and prevalence of tooth sensitivity as a condition, gum health and edentulism. This repository of knowledge will serve as an educational tool, enlightening individuals about the significance of proper oral healthcare practices.
Some key findings from this project are:
- 66.67 per cent sufferers experience tooth sensitivity in their lifetime.
- Incidence of tooth sensitivity peaks out in the 35-44y age group.
- Less than 50 per cent sufferers visit a dental clinic within a year, and more than 50 per cent of those visits are because of grave need for treatment.
- 20 per cent experience bleeding after toothbrushing.
- Prevalence of untreated caries in 5-year-old was 50 per cent in 2018
- Dentist to population ratio respectively is 1/9000 in urban Indians and 1/200,000 for rural Indians
- An average 35 per cent find difficulty in eating food due to problems with teeth & dentures.
- 40 per cent sufferers visited a dental professional a year or more ago.
- About 10 per cent never visited a dentist at all.
The primary objective of the OHO is to establish an international platform for synchronised data collection, fostering consumer education and advocacy for improved oral health outcomes. By focusing on vital aspects including awareness, education, access, disease burden, economic impact, and proactive care, the project aims to instigate positive change in oral health habits across the nation.