Laser Dentists seek subsidies in importing laser equipment

Chennai:
Laser dentistry could be affordable for common man if the government could provide subsidies in importing the machines used for this surgery, according to dentists.

Speaking to Express after the inauguration of 7^th Annual International conference on new age dentistry here on Saturday, the organizing committee co-chairman Dr Vijaylakshmi Acharya, convenor Yashwanth Venkatraman and organizing secretary Premila Suganthan said that the laser machine costs anywhere between rs 5 lakh to 25 lakh as such the normal dental procedure would cost 50 per cent more than the normal prtocedure.

Dr Acharya said that laser technology in modern dentistry is patient friendly due to its numerous advantages such as being painless, bloodless, reduces patient anxiety and swelling and having better patient comfort especially after dental surgery.

Venkatraman said that laser dentistry has eliminated the need for the drill in dental department with no more pain or discomfort involved in dental treatment.

“Lasers are the hottest technology in dentistry today. They have obvious benefits for all the patients without administering anesthetic shots and less time spent in the dental chair. The patient enjoys a more relaxed dental experience, reducing or diminishing their fears, allow dentists to perform various applications in a more comfortable fashion, faster, more effectively and potentially lead to an excellent operative and post-operative experience,” he said.

He said lasers are ideal for fillings since they are more accurate and selective at removing decay than conventional drills. “No needles are required and laser filings can be done in all parts of the mouth in a single visit,” he said.

Interestingly, the laser dentists feel that laser dentistry should be included in the curriculum. In Tamil Nadu, it is being included in Ramachandra Medical university.
Tamil Nadu governor K Rosaiah who inaugurated the conference, felt that that each dental clinic and dental hospital should come forward to reinvent itself in the modern high-tech era.