Dental Care
Access to quality dental care in the Tansa Valley has long been limited, with residents suffering from untreated cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss due to poor nutrition and minimal awareness of oral hygiene. To address this, PRASAD Chikitsa launched its Dental Care Program in 1991, beginning with a mobile dental van. In 2003, services expanded into a full-service dental clinic at the Anukampa Health Center, which now operates six days a week, providing comprehensive, affordable dental care to thousands of patients each year.
Program launched:
2003
Total Patients treated to date
23,008
In rural Maharashtra, dental health is often overlooked. Limited awareness, poor dietary habits, and inadequate access to dental services result in chronic pain, infection, and preventable tooth loss. The Tansa Valley, once lacking a full-service dental clinic within a 30-kilometer radius, left many residents—especially children and the elderly—without timely treatment. Pain and discomfort became part of everyday life for many, often leading to complications that affected their ability to eat, speak, or attend school or work.
How We Are Solving It
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Mobile Dental Van (1991)
The journey began with the Shree Muktananda Dental Van, operated by volunteer dentists who treated approximately 25 patients every Sunday. This was the region’s first step toward accessible oral healthcare
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Establishment of a Dental Clinic (2003)
To meet growing demand, PRASAD Chikitsa opened a dental clinic at the Anukampa Health Center, initially operating half-days, twice a week. As patient numbers increased, the services were expanded.
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Comprehensive Dental Services
By 2008, the clinic operated three full days per week, and by 2013, it expanded to six full days, responding to the growing need for consistent and reliable dental services.
Today, the clinic offers a full range of dental services, including:
- Preventive care and scaling
- Fillings, including cosmetic and light-cure restorations
- Root canals and surgical extractions
- Dentures and prosthetic support -
Community Outreach and Awareness
Dental health education has become an essential part of the program, delivered through school and village health camps. These efforts have led to earlier diagnosis and treatment, with more patients now visiting the clinic at the first sign of a problem rather than waiting for pain to become severe.
Impact
What started as a modest weekly dental van has grown into the only full-service dental clinic in a wide area, offering high-quality, affordable care to thousands of patients. Increased awareness has empowered community members to take preventive action, and the clinic has become a trusted resource for families seeking relief and long-term care.