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Surge in ENT and dental issues among kids in Pune
Health department sees an increase in ENT and dental problems among children during the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram screening tests conducted in Pune district
PUNE: The health department has seen an increase in ENT (ear-nose-throat) and dental problems among children during the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) screening tests conducted in Pune district.
The RBSK programme, also known as the Child Health Screening and Early Intervention programme, was introduced in 2013. Under this, surveys and screening tests for children up to 18 years of age are conducted twice a year at government and government-aided schools in Maharashtra.
In the last five years since 2019, as many as 1,212 children have been found to be suffering from dental problems; 1,164 children from ENT functional disorders; and 913 from cardiac ailments. All these children were provided surgical management free-of-cost, said officials.
Ashish Purnale, district coordinator of RBSK, said that children found with ENT functional disorders underwent procedures such as cochlear implants, eardrum repair (tympanoplasty), stapedectomy, ear tube replacement, septoplasty, and adenoid and tonsil enlargement. “These are the most common ENT disorders that were found during the screening tests,” he said. Purnale said that children suffering from dental problems underwent procedures such as root canals, crowning, implants and dental bridges.
Dr Murarji Ghadge, ENT consultant at Ruby Hall Clinic, said, “Children eat outside, play in the water, and don’t take precautions. Due to recurrent infections, they develop ENT disorders. The pollution has increased and parents should keep their children away from allergic substances to prevent ENT disorders and asthma.”
Professor Dr Shoeb Mujawar of the Family and Kids Dental Clinic and Cosmetic Centre said that the easy availability of fermented sugar is the prime reason behind the surge in dental cavities in children. “Children nowadays are more pampered and get whatever they ask. The awareness about regular dental health check-ups is less and people consult only after severe pain starts. Currently, incidents of early childhood caries have become common and rampant, another reason behind dental issues,” he said.
