Bengaluru Urban District Emerges as Top Beneficiary of Karnataka's Danta Bhagya Oral Health Scheme
The economically weaker sections in Bengaluru Urban district have been the primary beneficiaries of Karnataka's landmark oral health initiative, the Danta Bhagya scheme, over the past three years. This government program provides free complete or partial dentures to eligible citizens, addressing a critical healthcare need that often imposes significant financial burdens.
Substantial Dental Assistance Provided
Between the 2023-24 fiscal year and January 2026, a total of 923 individuals received complete dentures while 447 beneficiaries obtained removable partial dentures (RPDs) through this initiative. These numbers highlight the substantial demand for affordable dental care in Bengaluru, where private dental services can be prohibitively expensive for many residents.
Significant Cost Savings for Patients
The financial relief provided by Danta Bhagya is considerable when compared to private sector pricing. In private dental clinics, complete dentures typically start at Rs 20,000 and can escalate to Rs 1 lakh depending on materials and quality. Similarly, removable partial dentures generally range from Rs 8,000 to Rs 35,000 in private settings. The scheme effectively eliminates these substantial out-of-pocket expenses for qualified beneficiaries.
Statewide Implementation and Eligibility
Following Bengaluru Urban, other districts with significant denture distribution include Belagavi, Dakshina Kannada, Bagalkot, and Bengaluru Rural, where dental care costs remain similarly high. The Congress government originally launched Danta Bhagya in 2014-15 to address the widespread issue of expensive oral healthcare across Karnataka.
A senior health department official explained the program's comprehensive approach: "Beyond providing free dentures, Danta Bhagya emphasizes preventing dental and oromucosal lesions. The ultimate goal is to enable senior citizens to consume all types of food, thereby reducing malnutrition and improving overall health outcomes."
Program Reach and Infrastructure
Since its inception, the health department has distributed approximately 41,000 dentures (both complete and partial) at a total cost of Rs 5.5 crore to patients who are completely edentulous or have more than three missing teeth. Eligibility is restricted to individuals aged 45 and above who possess Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards.
The government implements Danta Bhagya through strategic partnerships with 42 private dental colleges, two government dental colleges, and 13 district-level hospitals, creating an extensive network for service delivery.
Primary Causes of Tooth Loss Identified
According to data collected by field officers, poor oral hygiene, periodontic disease (affecting gum tissue and structures supporting teeth), and diabetes represent the leading causes of tooth loss among beneficiaries. Additionally, tobacco use and fluoride exposure contribute significantly to tooth staining and deterioration.
Future Expansion Plans
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized the scheme's importance in highlighting the prevalence of dental issues across Karnataka. "While we currently operate oral care programs at district and taluk hospitals, we plan to expand services to primary health centers (PHCs) in phases. Initial implementation will focus on high-demand PHCs, with potential rollout beginning in April," he stated.
District-Wide Denture Distribution Data
The following districts recorded the highest denture distributions from 2023 through January 2026:
- Bengaluru Urban: 923 complete dentures, 447 removable partial dentures
- Belagavi: 702 complete dentures, 114 removable partial dentures
- Dakshina Kannada: 577 complete dentures, 285 removable partial dentures
- Bagalkot: 52 complete dentures, 12 removable partial dentures
- Bengaluru Rural: 484 complete dentures, 93 removable partial dentures
These statistics, sourced directly from the health department, demonstrate the substantial impact of Danta Bhagya in making essential dental care accessible to Karnataka's economically disadvantaged populations.
