Family first.

 India is putting itself first, and the USA says it first. We are going down a very dangerous, selfish path, instead of sacrificing yourself for your family—called humanity. In dentistry, there has been a tradition of offering free dental health checkups, which is okay on rare occasions, such as Preventive Day 12/12, once a year, as we have been doing for over a decade to promote oral health. However, this is not a sustainable healthcare business model, as someone must ultimately pay for the treatment. While sometimes you might get highly paying patients through their whole life cycle, such good relationships are formed. Additionally, patients who can't afford other treatments might still benefit from awareness and can visit appropriate service providers in the network or pay for services if they can afford them. Otherwise, there is a popular saying: "If something is free, you might be the product."

So, let's not have any hidden agendas and bring out the full potential of yours while promoting good health with the food for thought of preventive dental care. An idea, a vision of a better world: As a localite born in Bengaluru, I returned from the USA to bring this potential out.

How? Let's start by tackling those hidden dental problems that your naked eye or the dentist's naked eye cannot see, but an X-ray can. My mother generously upgraded my clinic with this service so that patients can benefit. While patients haven’t directly invested in their health, my family has invested in their well-being through goodwill. Similarly, diagnostic centers like Raddon have invested lakhs in machines such as OPG for cavity detection, CBCT for implants, and more. All you need to do is visit when prescribed. At our center, we even cover the OPG, as learned from my past mentor. He taught me that a consultation is sometimes not complete without an OPG, so why charge extra? Let’s make it part of the service.

Let’s take this preventive action, not for free work, but to say: “Yes, we can do it!” We can pay for it. We don’t need free work. We will look after our health because we know it is our wealth. We will change our mindset to one of equality and proactivity, not just tradition. We will send the right message with our preventive actions—detecting hidden problems as mentioned in our collaboration FAQ, available in the blue link. Click and read the protocol to understand when and how often these checks might be needed. Based on your experience, reach the clinic every year, at least before Preventive Day on 12/12. Take action now.

And live problem-free—not treatment-free—because, in the end, it’s the people—whether dental or government—the patients who pay with their health or wealth. Your family's happiness lies in your sacrifices and actions. Keep this in mind when you brush tonight.