In what can be christened as “Danta Bhagya,” going by the State government’s penchant for naming its schemes with the ‘bhagya’ suffix, free dentures will be provided to those aged above 60 years, belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.

“We want our elders to look smart when they smile and relish their food,” Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader told a press conference on Saturday. The government has earmarked Rs two crore for the scheme, the modalities of which will be worked out soon, the minister said.  

Khader said the State government will come out with an “oral health policy” soon. He pointed out that dental healthcare had not been given priority in government hospitals and had remained a neglected area. The policy will help give dental health its deserved attention.

He said 45 private dental colleges will be roped in to provide dental healthcare at primary health centres. 

Khader said nodal officers had been appointed at the district level to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases during summer. An action plan to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in BBMP limits, will be drawn at a meeting on Monday, the minister said.