Greater Noida, Sep 11 (IANS): Oral health was integral to overall health and most people were unaware of its significance, President Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday.

"Due to their prevalence and incidence, oral diseases pose a major threat to public health. The standards of oral and dental health are challenging in this subcontinent," Mukherjee said while inaugurating the FDI Annual World Dental Congress hosted by the Indian Dental Association here.

The president said most people were ignorant of the significance of oral health and its impact on general health.

"Oral diseases and tooth decay were considered a part of the ageing process and ignored by a large number of people.

"What we need today in India is an oral health revolution similar to the green revolution and white revolution," he said.

The president said India "needs to develop a holistic model to address the preventive needs as well as the disease specific requirements".

He expressed the hope that deliberations in the congress would bring out a model for oral healthcare, which can meet the demands of the individuals and make oral healthcare truly affordable and accessible.