Coming soon: BBMP’s 28 affordable dental clinics

Bengaluru: BBMP has scaled up its investment plans on health infrastructure to come up with dental clinics across all its eight zones.
It had earlier earmarked Rs 275 crore for health infrastructure improvements – Rs 150 crore to increase bed capacity, establish operation theatres and enhance facilities at maternity centres, Rs 45 crore for crematorium upgradation and Rs 80 crore for various other developments.
Suralkar Vikas Kishore, special commissioner of health and family welfare, told TOI, “While the initial budget was Rs 275 crore, now we are increasing it to Rs 400 crore for various infrastructure developments, especially for establishing dental clinics across the eight zones. We are now proposing to set up 28 dental clinics to ensure everyone benefits.”
The proposal and an action plan have been submitted to the govt and BBMP hopes to see a positive outcome in the upcoming week.
This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden poor and middle-class residents face in accessing dental care. “Complaints have surged regarding the exorbitant fees charged by private dental clinics, prompting the state govt to take action,” another civic official said.
The initiative will be a collaborative effort with the govt dental colleges.
“The doctors from dental colleges will be providing services on an honorarium basis and BBMP will be coordinating with them to ensure seamless treatment for everyone,” Kishore said.
If approved, the clinics are expected to be operational within the next three months, Kishore added.