PRESS RELEASE - GWALIOR DENTAL PRACTICE

SIKKA BRINGS SMILES TO INDIA

Dentist Neil Sikka of Barbican Dental Care has gone from entrepreneur to philanthropist in his latest enterprise.  In collaboration with local support, he has opened a state-of-the-art dental surgery in his native India, to provide dental healthcare to the homeless and disadvantaged of Gwalior - one of the poorest and most deprived parts of the country.  There is very limited government support for health, education or welfare services in this region, as well as sporadic electricity, unreliable water supply, and little or no sanitation.

Staffed by a full-time dentist, and supplemented with specialist support from the local dental college including specialists in periodontics and prosthodontics, the centre will provide regular dental check-ups and care for all the children in schools and orphanages in Gwalior as well other poor, disabled and destitute people in the region.

Says Neil Sikka, “Dental care and oral hygiene are vital elements of overall wellbeing and positive health. And yet, in Gwalior, a population of 70,000 have no access to such services.  I was determined to use my skills and business success to benefit those who need it most and I am confident we will give people reasons to smile.

“Dental treatment will be free for those who desperately need yet cannot afford it.  Other clients who can afford treatment will receive it on a cost-basis only.  I hope this will be the first of many dental centres we open in India.”

The dental centre is part of the Gwalior Childrens Hospital Charity, founded by Dr BK Sharma in 1993. The charity runs a hospital with an outpatients clinic, as well as offering orthopaedic, eye and neuro surgery, and has a mobile facility to provide medical care to local villages.  The hospital provides services to the local disadvantaged community and to orphanages in the area and is building its own orphanage.  It also has a hospice for HIV patients.

Services are free to the very poor while those who can are asked to contribute what they can to cover the cost of materials.  Charges range from 10p for a consultation, 50p for a filling, £1 for a scale and polish and £2.50 for root canal treatment.  The aim is to provide a reasonably comprehensive list of services, not just extractions.

For further details about the hospital, please visit www.helpchildrenofindia.org.uk