KARACHI: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has launched an initiative, with 10,000 CHF funding by the FDI World Dental Federation, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index in Mithi, a town situated in rural Sindh.
The strategic collaboration between AKUH and FDI shows their commitment to addressing oral health challenges, specifically targeting the prevalence of caries in the Mithi region.
The DMFT index, a critical metric for evaluating dental caries within the population, will provide valuable insights for the formulation of targeted preventive strategies.
This initiative holds significance not only for its epidemiological implications but also for its potential to alleviate the burden of caries, particularly in rural areas where dental health resources may be limited.
The project aims to transcend traditional methodologies by incorporating advanced technologies, specifically an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled application for determining caries prevalence.
Led by Principal Investigator Dr Fahad Umer, the research is supported by a team of Co-Principal Investigators, including Drs Niha Adnan, Jai Das, and Zahra Hoodbhoy.
Furthermore, the envisaged AI-enabled application serves not only as a technological advancement but also as a democratizing force in healthcare.
AKUH aims to empower frontline professionals by making this application accessible to community healthcare workers for assessing the DMFT index across diverse regions in Pakistan.
