GDCH, Mumbai: Building Bright Smiles – School Oral Health Screening & Prevention Initiative

GDCH, Mumbai: Building Bright Smiles – School Oral Health Screening & Prevention Initiative

Date: 17 April 2026
Venue: New Blossam School, Churchgate, Mumbai
 

Program Overview

Instilling healthy oral habits during school years is one of the most effective strategies for ensuring lifelong oral health. Schools serve as ideal platforms for promoting preventive healthcare through structured learning and behavioural reinforcement. On 17 April 2026, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai, conducted an Oral Health Screening, Education, and Prevention Camp was conducted at New Blossam School, Churchgate. The initiative focused on equipping children with essential knowledge, practical skills, and motivation to adopt healthy oral hygiene practices. 

Program Approach

The activity was designed using a participatory and child-friendly learning model, ensuring engagement, understanding, and retention.

Key Interventions

Oral Health Education Sessions

• Interactive sessions conducted using simple and relatable communication and PowerPoint presentations
• Focused on: 
  • Importance of oral hygiene 
  • Healthy dietary choices 
  • Prevention of common dental problems
  • Importance of healthy dietary habits
  • Golden rules for maintaining oral hygiene 

Mass and Individual Toothbrushing Demonstration

• Demonstrations conducted using models and live participation 
• Children were guided on: 
  • Correct brushing technique 
  • Duration and frequency of brushing 
• Individual corrections provided to reinforce proper practice 

Oral Health Screening

• Systematic screening of students conducted 
• Assessment included: 
  • Dental caries 
  • Oral hygiene status 
  • Gum health 
• Children requiring further care were identified and guided for follow-up 

Oral Self-Care Pledge

• Students actively participated in a pledge activity 
• Committed to:  
  • Brushing twice daily 
  • Maintaining oral hygiene 
  • Adopting healthy eating habits 
• Reinforced behavioral change and personal responsibility 

Conclusion

The Oral Health Screening and Prevention Initiative at New Blossam School successfully created a child-friendly platform for learning, practice, and behavioral transformation. By empowering children with knowledge and skills, the program advances the vision “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life—Nurtured Through Early Education and Everyday Habits.”