Cheekbone implants need better insurance coverage in India

In Chennai, a new type of cheekbone implant is helping people who lost their upper jaw due to health issues like mucormycosis, cancer, and accidents. Over 1,000 patients have benefited from these implants at the Rajan Dental Institute. However, these implants are not covered by health insurance, leaving patients to pay around Rs 2.5 lakh from their own pockets for surgery. Dr. Gunaseelan Rajan, the Medical Director at the institute, highlighted how these implants have changed lives, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. On Saturday, the Rajan Dental Institute partnered with the Chennai Dental Research Foundation to announce that they will offer 100 free implant surgeries through a new program called the "Zygoma Implant Charity Pledge." Swami Gautamananda, president of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, is supporting this initiative and will help refer patients. Dr. Rajan mentioned that the goal is to get these implants covered by government health schemes, which would encourage private insurance companies to do the same. Many Covid-19 patients suffered from mucormycosis, leading to severe jawbone loss, making traditional dental implants unsuitable. The zygomatic implants use the cheekbone as a foundation, which provides better support than standard implants. These implants do more than improve appearance; they are often essential for functions like chewing and speaking. Dr. Rajan stressed that insurance policies need to recognize these implants as crucial medical procedures, not just cosmetic ones.